Devices and methods of providing response message in the devices

ABSTRACT

A device includes a communication unit configured to receive a call request from a calling user; and a control unit configured to control the communication unit to provide a response message including information about a current situation based on information about an application currently being executed to the calling user in response to a rejection regarding the call request.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/855,521, filed on Sep. 16, 2015, which is a Continuation applicationof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/694,585, filed on Apr. 23, 2015,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/983,117,filed on Apr. 23, 2014, in the US Patent Office, and claims priorityfrom Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0111623, filed on Aug. 26,2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office and Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2014-0174292, filed on Dec. 5, 2014, in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate toproviding response messages in the devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

With developments in multimedia technologies, users may use a variety ofdevices for calling. When a user is unable to respond to an incomingcall, such as a phone call or a message, e.g., text message, fromanother device, the user may choose to reject the incoming call or tosend a response message. Here, since general response messages do notinclude detailed information about a current situation of a user, theuser may need to compose a text message, for example, to inform a callerabout the user's current situation.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments include a device capable of easilytransmitting a response message that responds with a current situationof a user when it is difficult for the user to respond to an incomingcall, and a method of providing a response message in the device.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and will be apparent from the description or may be learned bypractice of exemplary embodiments.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided adevice including a communication unit configured to receive a callrequest from a calling user; and a control unit configured to, inresponse to a rejection regarding the call request, control thecommunication unit to provide a response message to the calling user,which includes a current situation based on application informationabout an application being currently executed.

The response message may further include time information obtained fromthe application being currently executed and information about a timewhen a user will be available to respond to the call request based on apoint of time when the call request is received.

The application being currently executed may be an application beingexecuted on the device when the call request is received.

The application being currently executed may be an application beingexecuted on an external device at a time when the call request isreceived, and the communication unit is configured to obtain applicationinformation regarding the application from the external device.

The control unit may be further configured to control the communicationunit to provide a message to the calling user in response to changing.

The control unit may be further configured to control the communicationunit to provide the response message to the calling user via at leastone communication medium from among a plurality of communication media.

The control unit may be further configured to control the communicationunit to communicate with a wearable device.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a device including a communication unit configured to receive acall request from a calling user; a memory configured to store timeinformation received via an application installed on the device; and acontrol unit configured to, in response to a rejection regarding thecall request and a time at which the call request is receivedcorresponding to the stored time information, control the communicationunit to provide a response message to the calling user, which includes acurrent situation based on application information regarding theapplication currently being executed.

The response message may further include information about a time when auser will be available to respond to the call request based on thestored time information and the time at which the call request isreceived.

The application information may include schedule information and ticketreservation details, which are input via the application and the storedtime information.

The control unit may be further configured to control the communicationunit to provide a message in response to the current situation changing.

The control unit is further configured to control the communication unitto provide the response message to the calling user via at least onecommunication medium from among a plurality of communication media.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a method, the method including receiving a call request from acalling user; obtaining application information regarding an applicationcurrently being executed at a time at which the call request isreceived; and in response to a rejection regarding the call request,providing a response message to the calling user including a currentsituation based on the application information.

In the obtaining of the application information, property informationand time information regarding the application may be obtained, and theproviding of the response message may further include the currentsituation based on the property information and information about a timewhen a user will be available to respond to the call request based onthe time information and the time at which the call request is receivedis provided.

The application being executed may be an application being executed onthe device at the time at which the call request is received.

The application being executed may be an application being executed onan external device at the time at which the call request is received.The method may further include receiving the information regarding theapplication from the external device.

The method may further include providing a message to the calling userin response to the current situation changing.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method that a deviceprovides a response message, the method includes obtaining timeinformation from an application installed in a device; receiving a callrequest from a calling user; and in response to a rejection regardingthe call request and a time when the call request is receivedcorresponding to the obtained time information, providing a responsemessage to the calling user, which includes a current situation based onapplication information about the application currently being executedto the calling user.

The response message may further include information about a time when auser will be available to respond to the call request based on theobtained time information and the time when the call request isreceived.

The application information may include schedule information and ticketreservation detail input from the application and the time information.

The method may further include providing a message in response to thecurrent situation changing.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a method of responding to a phone call or message, the methodincluding setting up a call rejection function on a first electronicdevice; receiving an incoming phone call or an incoming message on thefirst electronic device; obtaining information related to at least oneapplication on the first electronic device that is being executed whenthe phone call or the message is received; transmitting a responsemessage according to the obtained information.

The setting up the call rejection function may include a first userinputting parameters through a user interface.

Inputting the parameters may include setting at least one application ofa plurality of applications to be an application that invokes the callrejection function.

Inputting the parameters may include setting a type of response messagecorresponding to each group of contacts of a plurality of groups ofcontacts listed in a contact list.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the exemplary embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a system that performs a function forproviding a response message with respect to an incoming call, accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a system that performs a function forproviding a response message with respect to an incoming call, accordingto another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a system that performs a function forproviding a response message with respect to an incoming message,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a system that performs a function forproviding a response message with respect to an incoming message,according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of first andsecond devices according to the method of providing a response messageof FIG. 5;

FIGS. 7A through 7F are diagrams illustrating an example operation forsetting up a call rejection function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating examples of response messagesaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating examples of information included in aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example operation forgenerating a response message based on information provided by anavigation application, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example operation forgenerating a response message based on information provided by a fitnessapplication, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for generatinga response message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a table illustrating various types of response messagesaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example operation for generatingvarious types of response messages according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example operation forgenerating a response message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating another example operation forgenerating a response message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a table illustrating sender formats and receiver formatsaccording to groups, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating examples of responsemessages including receiver formats corresponding to a first group;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams illustrating examples of responsemessages including receiver formats corresponding to a second group;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of first andsecond devices according to a method of providing a response messageaccording to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example operation for receiving auser input according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for generatinga response message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 23A and 23B are diagrams illustrating example operations forproviding a plurality of selection requests according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating another example of operations of thefirst and second devices according to a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for selecting acommunication medium according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example operation for receiving auser input according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating another example operation forselecting a communication medium according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstand second devices according to a method of providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a table illustrating examples of information included in aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams illustrating an example operation forgenerating a response message based on information provided by ascheduler application, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 32A and 32B are diagrams illustrating an example operation forgenerating a response message based on information provided by a movieticket reservation application, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstand second devices according to a method of providing a response messageaccording to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for providing areminder message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating another example operation forproviding a reminder message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling atransmission according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstand second devices according to a method of controlling a transmissionaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of firstthrough third devices according to a method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst through third devices according to a method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst through third devices according to a method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst through third devices according to a method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 46 is a block diagram illustrating another system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 47 is a block diagram illustrating another system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 48 is a block diagram illustrating another system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of firstthrough third devices according to a method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a block diagram illustrating another system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of firstthrough third devices according to a method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a block diagram illustrating another system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of first,second and fourth devices according to a method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst, second and fourth devices according to a method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst, second and fourth devices according to a method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 56 is a block diagram illustrating another system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 57 is a block diagram illustrating another system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of firstthrough fourth devices according to a method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 59 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst through fourth devices according to a method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 60 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst through fourth devices according to a method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 61 is a block diagram illustrating a system for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 62 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 63 is a block diagram illustrating a software configuration of thedevice according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 64 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 65 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wearabledevice according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 66 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of acommunication unit included in the wearable device; and

FIG. 67 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a serveraccording to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the terms used in the disclosure are selected from generallyknown and used terms, some of the terms mentioned in the description ofone or more exemplary embodiments have been selected by the applicant athis or her discretion, the detailed meanings of which are described inrelevant parts of the description herein.

In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word“comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will beunderstood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not theexclusion of any other elements. In addition, the terms “-er”, “-or”,and “module” described in the specification mean units for processing atleast one function and operation and can be implemented by hardwarecomponents or software components and combinations thereof.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments, examplesof which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In this regard,one or more exemplary embodiments may have different forms and shouldnot be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein.Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments are merely described below, byreferring to the figures, to explain aspects of the disclosure.Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list ofelements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify theindividual elements of the list.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a system that performs a function forproviding a response message with respect to an incoming call, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a response message providing system includes firstand second devices 100 and 200, in which the first and second devices100 and 200 are electronic devices supporting at least a voice callfunction or a video call function. For example, the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 may be smart phones, tablet PCs, PCs, smart TVs,mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop PCs, mediaplayers, micro servers, global positioning system (GPS) devices, e-bookterminals, digital broadcasting terminals, navigation devices, kiosks,MP3 players, digital camera, and other mobile or non-mobile computingdevices, but are not limited thereto. Furthermore, the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 may include various devices capable of receivingtouch inputs, including, e.g., electronic blackboards and touch tables.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may be adevice that executes software and performs particular functions via thesoftware. Software may be executed by one from among an application, anoperating system (OS), and a middleware, or any combination thereof.Particularly, a function of generating a response message according toan exemplary embodiment may be performed by one from among anapplication, an OS, and a middleware. Hereinafter, an embodiment inwhich the function is executed by an application and an embodiment inwhich the function is executed by a middleware will be described indetail. Furthermore, software may be executed not only by the firstdevice 100, but also by other devices connected to the first device 100,e.g., a wearable device, a server, a navigation device, etc.

The term “application” may refer to a set of a series of computerprograms designed to perform a particular task. The disclosure mayinclude various applications. For example, applications may include aweb browser, a camera application, a dictionary application, atranslator application, a data transmission application, a music playerapplication, a movie player application, a phone application, a messageapplication, a social communicator application, a map application, apicture folder application, a broadcasting application, a gameapplication, a fitness application, a payment application, a memoapplication, a calendar application, and a phone book application, butare not limited thereto.

“Middleware” may include a plurality of modules that are prepared inadvance to provide functions that are commonly demanded by variousapplications. Middleware may provide functions via application programinterfaces (APIs), such that applications may efficiently utilizeresources in a device. For example, middleware may include at least oneof a plurality of modules including an application manager, a windowmanager, a multimedia manager, a resource manager, a power manager, adatabase manager, a package manager, a connection manager, anotification manager, a location manager, a graphic manager, and asecurity manager. Furthermore, if a device has a phone call function,middleware may further include a phone call manager to manage a voicecall function or a video call function. Middleware may further includeruntime libraries or other library modules.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may receive acall request, e.g., an incoming call from the second device 200. Inother words, a second user USER2 of the second device 200 may attempt toestablish a phone call to a first user USER1 of the first device 100.Therefore, the first user USER1 may be referred to as a receiver,whereas the second user USER2 may be referred to as a caller or asender.

A phone number of the second device 200 may be displayed on a displayscreen of the first device 100 (phone number 12, FIG. 1A), and the phonenumber 12 of the second device 200 may be referred to as a caller ID ora caller's number. If the phone number 12 of the second device 200 isincluded in contact information, e.g., a phone book stored in the firstdevice 100, a name 11 of the second user USER2 stored in the contactinformation may be displayed on the display screen of the first device100.

A phone number 14 of the first device 100 may be displayed on a displayscreen of the second device 200, and the phone number 14 of the firstdevice 100 may be referred to as a receiver's number. Furthermore, ifthe phone number 14 of the first device 100 is included in contactinformation, e.g., a phone book stored in the second device 200, a name13 of the first user USER1 stored in the contact information may bedisplayed on the display screen of the second device 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 of the firstdevice 100 might not be able to respond to an incoming call from thesecond device 200. For example, the first user USER1 may be in asituation in which it is difficult to respond to the incoming call orthe first user USER1 may not want to respond to the incoming call fromthe second user USER2.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call is receivedfrom the second device 200, the first device 100 may automaticallygenerate a response message (RM) by referring to information regardingan application that is being currently executed or previously executedand may automatically transmit the generated response message RM to thesecond device 200. To notify the first user USER1 that the responsemessage RM is transmitted, the first device 100 may provide anotification that transmission of the response message RM is completedon the display screen of the first device 100 in the form of a message,for example. Here, the response message RM may include informationregarding a current situation, a future situation, or both a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1, or may be asimple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived from the second device 200, the first device 100 may provide auser interface (UI) element corresponding to the incoming call on thedisplay screen of the first device 100. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received incoming call including allow,reject, or transmit a response message. If the first user USER1 selectsto reject the incoming call or to transmit a response message, the firstdevice 100 may automatically generate a response message RM by referringto information regarding an application that is being currently executedor previously executed and may automatically transmit the generatedresponse message RM to the second device 200. Here, the response messageRM may include information regarding a current situation, a futuresituation, or both a current situation and a future situation of thefirst user USER1, or may be a simple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived from the second device 200, the first device 100 may provide auser interface (UI) element corresponding to the incoming call on thedisplay screen of the first device 100. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received incoming call including allow,reject, or transmit a response message. If the first user USER1 selectsto reject the incoming call or to transmit a response message, the firstdevice 100 may automatically generate response message candidates byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and provide the generatedresponse message candidates on the display screen of the first device100 together with general frequently used messages. As described above,the first device 100 may provide a response message list includingresponse message candidates and general frequently used messages, theresponse message candidates may include information regarding a currentsituation, a future situation, or both a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1, and the general frequently usedmessages may be simple response messages. Next, when the first userUSER1 selects one response message in the response message list, thefirst device 100 may transmit a selected response message RM to thesecond device 200.

Here, the “current situation” may refer to a reason that the first userUSER1 is unable to respond to an incoming call at a time point ofreception of the incoming call, the reason determined by referring toinformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed and may be a specific activity, a location, or aroute of the first user USER1. For example, if a navigation applicationis being executed on the first device 100, a current situation of thefirst user USER1 may be determined as ‘driving’ by referring toinformation regarding the navigation application (e.g., if thenavigation application determines the phone is moving at or above apredetermined speed). For another example, if a fitness application isbeing executed on the first device 100, a current situation of the firstuser USER1 may be determined as ‘exercising’ by referring to informationregarding the fitness application. As another example, if a phoneapplication is being executed on the first device 100, a currentsituation of the first user USER1 may be determined as ‘on the phone’ byreferring to information regarding the phone application.

The “future situation” may be a change of situation of the first userUSER1 after termination of an incoming call, which may be estimated byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or was previously executed and may correspond to anestimated point of time when the first user USER1 will be available torespond to an incoming call. For example, if a navigation application isbeing executed on the first device 100, a future situation of the firstuser USER1 may be estimated to ‘arrive at a destination in a fewminutes’ based on information regarding the navigation application(e.g., a destination set by the first user USER1, current trafficconditions, etc.). As another example, if a fitness application is beingexecuted on the first device 100, a future situation of the first userUSER1 may be estimated to ‘finish exercise in a few minutes’ based oninformation regarding the fitness application (e.g., a target exercisetime set by the first user USER1). As another example, if a phoneapplication is being executed on the first device 100, a futuresituation of the first user USER1 may be estimated to ‘finish a phonecall in a few minutes’ based on information regarding the phoneapplication (e.g., an average call time of the first user USER1).

According to an exemplary embodiment, an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 may beexecuted by the first user USER1. In other words, functions of anapplication that is being currently executed or was previously executedon the first device 100 may be initiated based on a user input, such asa touch input from the first user USER1. The first user USER1 mayintentionally execute an application installed on the first device 100to perform a particular task. For example, the particular task may bedriving, exercising, making or receiving phone calls, sending orreceiving messages, inputting schedules, reserving movie tickets,reserving transportation tickets, watching movies, playing games,internet banking, etc. As described above, an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 arenot limited to applications that are executed to determine a currentsituation of the first user USER1 or to estimate a future situation ofthe first user USER1 and may also be applications intentionally selectedby the first user USER1 to perform particular tasks.

The first device 100 may generate a response message RM by using anapplication or middleware. Detailed descriptions thereof will be givenbelow.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message RM by using a phone application or a messageapplication. In detail, a phone application or a message applicationinstalled on the first device 100 may receive information regardinganother application via an API and generate a response message RM. Here,the response message RM generated by the phone application or themessage application may be transmitted to the second device 200 via themessage application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message RM by using a separate dedicatedapplication. In detail, a separate dedicated application installed onthe first device 100 may receive information regarding anotherapplication via an API and generate a response message RM. Here, theresponse message RM generated by the separate dedicated application maybe transmitted to the second device 200 via a message application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message RM by using middleware. In detail, aparticular module of middleware of the first device 100 may collect andmanage information regarding various applications. Furthermore, aparticular module of the middleware may generate a response message RMby using information regarding an application. Here, the responsemessage RM generated by the particular module of the middleware may betransmitted to the second device 200 via a message application.

For example, methods of generating response messages RM via a phoneapplication or a message application, a separate dedicated application,or middleware in a case in which a navigation application is beingexecuted on the first device 100 at a point of time when an incomingcall is received from the second device 200 will be described below indetail.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a phone application or a messageapplication installed on the first device 100 may receive informationregarding a navigation application via an API and generate a responsemessage RM. In detail, the phone application or the message applicationdetermines a current situation of the first user USER1 as ‘driving’based on information regarding execution of the navigation applicationand may estimate a future situation of the first user USER1 to ‘arriveat a destination in 30 minutes’ by referring to information regardingthe destination and information regarding current traffic conditionsfrom the navigation application. Therefore, the phone application or themessage application may generate a response message RM saying “I amdriving right now. I will contact you in 30 minutes.” The first device100 may transmit the generated response message RM to the first device100 via the message application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a separate dedicatedapplication installed on the first device 100 may receive informationregarding a navigation application via an API and generate a responsemessage RM. In detail, the separate dedicated application determines acurrent situation of the first user USER1 as ‘driving’ based oninformation regarding execution of the navigation application and mayestimate a future situation of the first user USER1 to ‘arrive at adestination in 30 minutes’ by referring to information regarding thedestination and information regarding current traffic conditions fromthe navigation application. Therefore, the separate dedicatedapplication may generate a response message RM saying “I am drivingright now. I will contact you in 30 minutes.” The first device 100 maytransmit the generated response message RM to the first device 100 via amessage application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a particular module ofmiddleware or an OS of the first device 100 may receive informationregarding a navigation application via an API and generate a responsemessage RM. In detail, the particular module of the middlewaredetermines a current situation of the first user USER1 as ‘driving’based on information regarding execution of the navigation applicationand may estimate a future situation of the first user USER1 to ‘arriveat a destination in 30 minutes’ by referring to information regardingthe destination and information regarding current traffic conditionsfrom the navigation application. Therefore, the particular module of themiddleware may generate a response message RM saying “I am driving rightnow. I will contact you in 30 minutes.” The first device 100 maytransmit the generated response message RM to the first device 100 via amessage application.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a system that performs a function forproviding a response message with respect to an incoming call, accordingto another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1B, a response message providing system may includefirst through third devices 100 through 300. Here, the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and descriptions thereof givenabove with reference to FIG. 1A may be applied here.

The third device 300 may be a wearable device having communicationfunction and data processing function, e.g., a watch-type device, aneyewear-type device, a hairband-type device, a ring-type device, etc. Indetail, the first user USER1 may be wearing the third device 300, andthe third device 300 may wirelessly communicate with and link to thefirst device 100

A user wears the third device 300, such that the third device 300contacts the body of the user in a pre-set manner. For example, thethird device 300 worn by the user may be in the form of a wristwatch,eyewear, an earring, a necklace, earphones, shoes, clothing, a helmet,etc.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 of the firstand third devices 100 and 300 may not be able to respond to an incomingcall from the second device 200. For example, the first user USER1 maybe in a situation in which it is difficult to respond to the incomingcall or the first user USER1 may not want to respond to the incomingcall from the second user USER2.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message RM by referring to an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 or anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe third device 300. According to another exemplary embodiment, thethird device 300 may generate a response message RM by referring to anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe first device 100 or an application that is being currently executedor previously executed on the third device 300.

An exemplary embodiment in which operations for generating a responsemessage RM and transmitting the response message RM are performed on thethird device 300 will now be described. However, as described above,operations for generating a response message RM and transmitting theresponse message RM may also be performed on the first device 100.Detailed descriptions thereof will be given below with reference toFIGS. 41 through 51 and 57 through 60.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call is receivedfrom the second device 200, the third device 300 may automaticallygenerate a response message RM by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe first device 100 or the third device 300 and automatically transmitthe generated response message RM to the second device 200. Next, tonotify the first user USER1 that the response message RM is transmitted,the third device 300 may provide a notification that transmission of theresponse message RM is completed on a display screen of the third device300 in the form of a message, for example. Here, the response message RMmay include information regarding a current situation, a futuresituation, or both a current situation and a future situation of thefirst user USER1, or may be a simple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived from the second device 200, the third device 300 may provide auser interface (UI) element corresponding to the incoming call on thedisplay screen of the third device 300. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received incoming call including allow,reject, or transmit a response message. Next, if the first user USER1selects to reject the incoming call or to transmit a response message,the third device 300 may automatically generate a response message RM byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 or thethird device 300 and automatically transmit the generated responsemessage RM to the second device 200. Here, the response message RM mayinclude information regarding a current situation, a future situation,or both a current situation and a future situation of the first userUSER1 or may be a simple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived from the second device 200, the third device 300 may provide auser interface (UI) element corresponding to the incoming call on thedisplay screen of the third device 300. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received incoming call including allow,reject, or transmit a response message. Next, if the first user USER1selects to reject the incoming call or to transmit a response message,the third device 300 may automatically generate a response messagecandidates by referring to information regarding an application that isbeing currently executed or previously executed on the first device 100or the third device 300 and provide the generated response messagecandidates on the display screen of the third device 300 together withgeneral frequently used messages. As described above, the third device300 may provide a response message list including response messagecandidates and general frequently used messages, the response messagecandidates may include information regarding a current situation, afuture situation, or both a current situation and a future situation ofthe first user USER1, and the general frequently used messages may besimple response messages. Next, when the first user USER1 selects oneresponse message in the response message list, the third device 300 maytransmit a selected response message RM to the second device 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 or thethird device 300 may be executed by the first user USER1. In otherwords, functions of an application that is being currently executed orwas previously executed on the first device 100 or the third device 300may be initiated based on a user input, such as a touch input from thefirst user USER1. The first user USER1 may intentionally execute anapplication installed on the first device 100 or the third device 300 toperform a particular task. For example, the particular task may bedriving, exercising, making or receiving phone calls, sending orreceiving messages, inputting schedules, reserving movie tickets,reserving transportation tickets, watching movies, playing games,internet banking, etc. As described above, an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 or thethird device 300 are not limited to applications that are executed todetermine a current situation of the first user USER1 or to estimate afuture situation of the first user USER1 and may also be applicationsintentionally selected by the first user USER1 to perform particulartasks.

The third device 300 may generate a response message RM by using anapplication or middleware. Detailed descriptions thereof will be givenbelow.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may generatea response message RM by using a phone application or a messageapplication. In detail, a phone application or a message applicationinstalled on the third device 300 may receive information regardinganother application via an API and generate a response message RM. Here,the response message RM generated by the phone application or themessage application may be transmitted to the second device 200 via themessage application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 maygenerate a response message RM by using a separate dedicatedapplication. In detail, a separate dedicated application installed onthe third device 300 may receive information regarding anotherapplication via an API and generate a response message RM. Here, theresponse message RM generated by the separate dedicated application maybe transmitted to the second device 200 via a message application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 maygenerate a response message RM by using middleware. In detail, aparticular module of middleware of the third device 300 may collect andmanage information regarding various applications. Furthermore, aparticular module of the middleware may generate a response message RMby using information regarding an application. Here, the responsemessage RM generated by the particular module of the middleware may betransmitted to the second device 200 via a message application.

FIG. 2A is a diagram illustrating a system that performs a function forproviding a response message with respect to an incoming message,according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2A, a response message providing system may includefirst and second devices 100 and 200, and the first and second devices100 and 200 may be electronic devices supporting messagetransmitting/receiving function. The first and second devices 100 and200 according to an exemplary embodiment may be substantially similar tothe first and second devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, Therefore,descriptions thereof given above with reference to FIG. 1A may also beapplied here.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may receive amessage from the second device 200. In an exemplary embodiment, anincoming call includes reception of a message. Therefore, the first userUSER1 may be referred to as a receiver, whereas the second user USER2may be referred to as a caller or a sender. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the first user USER1 of the first device 100 may not be ableto respond to a message from the second device 200. For example, thefirst user USER1 may be in a situation in which it is difficult to inputa message or to make a phone call or the first user USER1 may not wantto respond to the message from the second user USER2, or to establish aphone call to the second user USER2.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when a message is received fromthe second device 200, the first device 100 may automatically generate aresponse message RM by referring to information regarding an applicationthat is being currently executed or previously executed andautomatically transmit the generated response message RM to the seconddevice 200. Next, to notify the first user USER1 that the responsemessage RM is transmitted, the first device 100 may provide anotification that transmission of the response message RM is completedon the display screen of the first device 100 in the form of a message.Here, the response message RM may include information regarding acurrent situation, a future situation, or both a current situation and afuture situation of the first user USER1, or may be a simple responsemessage.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when a message is receivedfrom the second device 200, the first device 100 may provide a userinterface (UI) element corresponding to the received message on thedisplay screen of the first device 100. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received message including reply or transmita response message. Next, if the first user USER1 selects to transmit aresponse message, the first device 100 may automatically generate aresponse message RM by referring to information regarding an applicationthat is being currently executed or previously executed andautomatically transmit the generated response message RM to the seconddevice 200. Here, the response message RM may include informationregarding a current situation, a future situation, or both a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1 or may be asimple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when a message is receivedfrom the second device 200, the first device 100 may provide a userinterface (UI) element corresponding to the received message on thedisplay screen of the first device 100. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received message including reply or transmita response message. Next, if the first user USER1 selects to transmit aresponse message, the first device 100 may automatically generateresponse message candidates by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed andprovide the generated response message candidates on the display screenof the first device 100 together with general frequently used messages.As described above, the first device 100 may provide a response messagelist including response message candidates and general frequently usedmessages, the response message candidates may include informationregarding a current situation, a future situation, or both a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1, and thegeneral frequently used messages may be simple response messages. Next,when the first user USER1 selects one response message in the responsemessage list, the first device 100 may transmit a selected responsemessage RM to the second device 200.

Here, the “current situation” may refer to a reason that the first userUSER1 is unable to respond to an incoming call at a time point ofreception of the incoming call, the reason determined by referring toinformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed and may be a specific activity, a location, or aroute of the first user USER1. Furthermore, the “future situation” maybe a change of situation of the first user USER1 after termination of anincoming call estimated by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed andmay correspond to an estimated point of time when the first user USER1will be available to respond to an incoming call.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 may beexecuted by the first user USER1. In other words, functions of anapplication that is being currently executed or was previously executedon the first device 100 may be initiated based on a user input, such asa touch input from the first user USER1. The first user USER1 mayintentionally execute an application installed on the first device 100to perform a particular task. For example, the particular task may bedriving, exercise, making or receiving phone calls, sending or receivingmessages, inputting schedules, reserving movie tickets, reservingtransportation tickets, watching movies, playing games, internetbanking, etc. As described above, an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100 are not limitedto applications that are executed to determine a current situation ofthe first user USER1 or to estimate a future situation of the first userUSER1 and may also be applications intentionally selected by the firstuser USER1 to perform particular tasks.

The first device 100 may generate a response message RM by using anapplication or middleware. Detailed descriptions thereof will be givenbelow.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message RM by using a message application. In detail, amessage application installed on the first device 100 may receiveinformation regarding another application via an API and generate aresponse message RM. Here, the response message RM generated by themessage application may be transmitted to the second device 200 via themessage application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message RM by using a separate dedicatedapplication. In detail, a separate dedicated application installed onthe first device 100 may receive information regarding anotherapplication via an API and generate a response message RM. Here, theresponse message RM generated by the separate dedicated application maybe transmitted to the second device 200 via a message application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message RM by using middleware. In detail, aparticular module of middleware of the first device 100 may collect andmanage information regarding various applications. Furthermore, aparticular module of the middleware may generate a response message RMby using information regarding an application. Here, the responsemessage RM generated by the particular module of the middleware may betransmitted to the second device 200 via a message application.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a system that performs a function forproviding a response message with respect to an incoming message,according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 2B, a response message providing system may includefirst through third devices 100 through 300. Here, the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and descriptions thereof givenabove with reference to FIG. 1A may also be applied to an exemplaryembodiment. The third device 300 may be a wearable device havingcommunication function and data processing function, e.g., a watch-typedevice, an eyewear-type device, a hairband-type device, a ring-typedevice, etc. In detail, the first user USER1 may be wearing the thirddevice 300, and the third device 300 may wirelessly communicate with andlink to the first device 100

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 of the firstand third devices 100 and 300 may not be able to respond to a messagefrom the second device 200. For example, the first user USER1 may be ina situation in which it is difficult to respond to input a message or tomake a phone call, or the first user USER1 may not want to respond toestablish a phone call to the second user USER2.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message RM by referring to an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 or anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe third device 300. According to another exemplary embodiment, thethird device 300 may generate a response message RM by referring to anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe first device 100 or an application that is being currently executedor previously executed on the third device 300.

An exemplary embodiment in which operations for generating a responsemessage RM and transmitting the response message RM are performed on thethird device 300 will now be described. However, as described above,operations for generating a response message RM and transmitting theresponse message RM may also be performed on the first device 100.Detailed descriptions thereof will be given below with reference toFIGS. 41 through 51 and 57 through 60.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when a message is received fromthe second device 200, the third device 300 may automatically generate aresponse message RM by referring to information regarding an applicationthat is being currently executed or previously executed on the firstdevice 100 or the third device 300 and automatically transmit thegenerated response message RM to the second device 200. Next, to notifythe first user USER1 that the response message RM is transmitted, thethird device 300 may provide a notification that transmission of theresponse message RM is completed on a display screen of the third device300 in the form of a message, for example. Here, the response message RMmay include information regarding a current situation, a futuresituation, or both a current situation and a future situation of thefirst user USER1 or may be a simple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when a message is receivedfrom the second device 200, the third device 300 may provide a userinterface (UI) element corresponding to the received message on thedisplay screen of the third device 300. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received message including reply or transmita response message. Next, if the first user USER1 selects to transmit aresponse message, the third device 300 may automatically generate aresponse message RM by referring to information regarding an applicationthat is being currently executed or previously executed on the firstdevice 100 or the third device 300 and automatically transmit thegenerated response message RM to the second device 200. Here, theresponse message RM may include information regarding a currentsituation, a future situation, or both a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1 or may be a simple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when a message is receivedfrom the second device 200, the third device 300 may provide a userinterface (UI) element corresponding to the message on the displayscreen of the third device 300. Here, the UI element may display optionswith respect to the received message including reply or transmit aresponse message. Next, if the first user USER1 selects to transmit aresponse message, the third device 300 may automatically generateresponse message candidates by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe first device 100 or the third device 300 and provide the generatedresponse message candidates on the display screen of the third device300 together with general frequently used messages. As described above,the third device 300 may provide a response message list includingresponse message candidates and general frequently used messages, theresponse message candidates may include information regarding a currentsituation, a future situation, or both a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1, and the general frequently usedmessages may be simple response messages. Next, when the first userUSER1 selects one response message in the response message list, thethird device 300 may transmit a selected response message RM to thesecond device 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 may beexecuted by the first user USER1. In other words, functions of anapplication that is being currently executed or was previously executedon the first device 100 may be initiated based on a user input, such asa touch input from the first user USER1. The first user USER1 mayintentionally execute an application installed on the first device 100to perform a particular task. For example, the particular task may bedriving, exercise, making or receiving phone calls, sending or receivingmessages, inputting schedules, reserving movie tickets, reservingtransportation tickets, watching movies, playing games, internetbanking, etc. As described above, an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100 are not limitedto applications that are executed to determine a current situation ofthe first user USER1 or to estimate a future situation of the first userUSER1 and may also be applications intentionally selected by the firstuser USER1 to perform particular tasks.

The third device 300 may generate a response message RM by using anapplication or middleware. Detailed descriptions thereof will be givenbelow.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may generatea response message RM by using a message application. In detail, amessage application installed on the third device 300 may receiveinformation regarding another application via an API and generate aresponse message RM. Here, the response message RM generated by themessage application may be transmitted to the second device 200 via themessage application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 maygenerate a response message RM by using a separate dedicatedapplication. In detail, a separate dedicated application installed onthe third device 300 may receive information regarding anotherapplication via an API and generate a response message RM. Here, theresponse message RM generated by the separate dedicated application maybe transmitted to the second device 200 via a message application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 maygenerate a response message RM by using middleware. In detail, aparticular module of middleware of the third device 300 may collect andmanage information regarding various applications. Furthermore, aparticular module of the middleware may generate a response message RMby using information regarding an application. Here, the responsemessage RM generated by the particular module of the middleware may betransmitted to the second device 200 via a message application.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 3, the method of providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment is a method for processing arejection with respect to an incoming call or a message received by adevice and includes below operations that are performed on the device.For example, the method of providing a response message according to anexemplary embodiment may include operations that are chronologicallyperformed by the first device 100 of FIGS. 1A through 2B.

In an operation S300, a call request, and more particularly, an incomingcall including a phone call or a message is received from a calling user(e.g., caller). Here, a phone call may be a phone call via a mobilecommunication network, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) call, or avoice over long-term evolution (LTE) (VoLTE) call, etc. Here, a messagemay be a short message service (SMS), a multimedia message service(MMS), or a message provided by a chatting service, such as KakaoTalk orLine. However, the phone call or message is not limited to thesemethods.

In an operation S320, a response message including information regardinga current situation based on information regarding an application isprovided to the calling user. Here, the “current situation” may refer toa reason that a user is unable to respond to an incoming call at a timepoint of reception of the incoming call, the reason determined byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and may be a specificactivity, a location, or a route of the user.

According to an exemplary embodiment, information regarding anapplication may be information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 by thefirst user USER1. For example, the information regarding an applicationmay be information regarding an application executed on the first device100 based on a user input, such as a touch input, of the first userUSER1. The first user USER1 may intentionally execute an applicationinstalled on the first device 100 to perform a particular task. Forexample, the particular task may be driving, exercising, making orreceiving phone calls, sending or receiving messages, inputtingschedules, reserving movie tickets, reserving transportation tickets,watching a movie, playing games, internet banking, etc. As describedabove, an application that is being currently executed or previouslyexecuted on the first device 100 is not limited to applications that areexecuted to determine a current situation of the first user USER1 or toestimate a future situation of the first user USER1 and may also beapplications intentionally selected by the first user USER1 to performparticular tasks.

According to an exemplary embodiment, based on information set inadvance before a phone call or a message is received, a response messagemay be automatically generated and transmitted to a calling user withoutnotifying reception of the phone call or the message to a receivinguser. Detailed descriptions thereof will be given below with referenceto FIGS. 6 through 11B.

According to an exemplary embodiment, reception of the phone call or themessage to a receiving user may be notified to a receiving user and aresponse message may be generated based on a user input indicatingrejection of the call or message. In detail, after a user inputs aninput to reject a call, a response message may be generated based on auser input regarding content of a response message and a communicationmedium for transmitting the response message. Detailed descriptionsthereof will be given below with reference to FIGS. 20 through 27.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operation S320 may beperformed by a phone application or a message application installed onthe first device 100. In other words, a phone application or a messageapplication installed on the first device 100 may include the callrejection function described above. Therefore, when a phone call or amessage is received by the first device 100, a call rejection functionmay be activated in a phone application or a message application. Indetail, an application installed on the first device 100 may providenecessary information for generating a response message to a phoneapplication or a message application via an API, and the phoneapplication or the message application may generate a response messagebased on information received from the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S320 may beperformed by a dedicated response message providing applicationinstalled on the first device 100, and the response message providingapplication may be executed in conjunction with a phone application or amessage application installed on the first device 100. Therefore, when aphone call or a message is received by the first device 100, the phoneapplication or the message application may activate a call rejectionfunction of a response message providing application. In detail, anapplication installed on the first device 100 may provide necessaryinformation for generating a response message to a response messageproviding application via an API, and the response message providingapplication may generate a response message based on informationreceived from the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S320 may beperformed by a platform of the first device 100. Therefore, when a phonecall or a message is received by the first device 100, a platform mayactivate call rejection function. In detail, an application installed onthe first device 100 may provide necessary information for generating aresponse message to a platform, and the platform may generate a responsemessage based on information received from the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S320 may beperformed by an external server. Therefore, when a phone call or amessage is received by the first device 100, a server may activate acall rejection function. In detail, an application installed on thefirst device 100 may provide necessary information for generating aresponse message to a server, and the server may generate a responsemessage based on information received from the application.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 a for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the system 10 a includes first and second devices100 and 200, and the first and second devices 100 and 200 may besubstantially similar to the first and second devices 100 and 200 shownin FIG. 1A. Therefore, descriptions thereof given above with referenceto FIG. 1A may also be applied here. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or a messageand, in response thereto, the first device 100 transmits a responsemessage.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100. For example, anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed maybe a navigation application, a map application, a fitness application,an e-learning application, an internet banking application, a movieplayer application, a game application, an e-book application, a phoneapplication, or a message application. However, exemplary embodimentsare not limited thereto. For example, a previously executed applicationmay be a scheduler application, a reservation application (e.g., a movieticket reservation, a concert reservation, a flight ticket reservation,a train ticket reservation, a bus ticket reservation, etc.), or an alarmapplication. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the method of providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment is a modification of the method ofproviding a response message shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, descriptionsgiven above with reference to FIG. 3 may also be applied here, and thus,repeated descriptions will be omitted.

In an operation 5500, a call request, and more particularly, an incomingcall including a phone call or a message is received from a callinguser. In an operation 5520, information regarding an application beingexecuted is obtained. In an operation 5540, a response message includinginformation regarding a current situation based on information regardingan application is provided to the calling user.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstand second devices 100 and 200 according to a method of providing aresponse message.

Referring to FIG. 6, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that are chronologicallyperformed by the first and second devices 100 and 200. Descriptionsgiven above with respect to the first and second devices 100 and 200shown in FIG. 4 may also be applied to a method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation 5600, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. The call rejection function may be set up with respect to atleast a particular application, a particular contact, or a particulartime slot. Detailed descriptions thereof will be given below withreference to FIGS. 7A through 7F. In an operation S610, the seconddevice 200 transmits a phone call or a message to the first device 100.In an operation S620, the first device 100 receives the phone call orthe message from the second device 200.

In an operation S630, the first device 100 obtains information regardingan application being executed. In detail, the first device 100 mayobtain information from an application being executed on the firstdevice 100 during the operation S620. In an operation S640, the firstdevice 100 automatically generates a response message. In detail, thefirst device 100 may automatically generate a response message includingat least one of a current situation and a future situation of the firstuser USER1 based on information regarding an application.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operations S630 and S640 maybe performed by a phone application or a message application installedon the first device 100. In other words, a phone application or amessage application installed on the first device 100 may include a callrejection function. Therefore, when a phone call or a message isreceived by the first device 100, a call rejection function may beactivated in a phone application or a message application. In detail, anapplication being currently executed on the first device 100 may providenecessary information for generating a response message to a phoneapplication or a message application via an API, and the phoneapplication or the message application may generate a response messagebased on information received from the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operations S630 and S640may be performed by a dedicated response message providing applicationinstalled on the first device 100, and the response message providingapplication may be executed in conjunction with a phone application or amessage application installed on the first device 100. Therefore, when aphone call or a message is received by the first device 100, the phoneapplication or the message application may activate a call rejectionfunction of a response message providing application. In detail, anapplication installed on the first device 100 may provide necessaryinformation for generating a response message to a response messageproviding application via an API, and the response message providingapplication may generate a response message based on informationreceived from the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operations S630 and S640may be performed by a platform of the first device 100. Therefore, whena phone call or a message is received by the first device 100, aplatform may activate a call rejection function. In detail, anapplication installed on the first device 100 may provide necessaryinformation for generating a response message to a platform, and theplatform may generate a response message based on information receivedfrom the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operations S630 and S640may be performed by an external server. Therefore, when a phone call ora message is received by the first device 100, a server may activate acall rejection function. In detail, an application installed on thefirst device 100 may provide necessary information for generating aresponse message to a server, and the server may generate a responsemessage based on information received from the application.

In an operation 5650, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. Here, the response message may be transmittedvia a SMS, a social network service (SNS), such as Facebook or Twitter,a chatting service, such as KakaoTalk or Line, or e-mail, or any othermethod.

In an operation S660, the first device 100 provides a notification tothe first user USER1 that transmission of a response message iscompleted. Therefore, the first user USER1 may learn that a phone callor a message is received from the second device 200 and a responsemessage automatically generated in correspondence thereto may betransmitted to the second device 200.

FIGS. 7A through 7F are diagrams illustrating an example operation forsetting up a call rejection function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a user may set up a call rejection function inadvance before a phone call or a message is received. For example, thefirst user USER1 may set up the call rejection function in the firstdevice 100 in advance. According to an exemplary embodiment, the callrejection function may include settings for scheduling 15 a, automaticmessage transmission 15 b, auto-start 15 c, application utilization 15d, message type 15 e, and call admission 15 f. However, exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the call rejection function may include more settings orless settings than those described above.

The scheduling 15 a may be an icon for automatically performing a callrejection function during a particular time slot. During a particulartime slot selected via the scheduling 15 a, a response message may beautomatically transmitted to a calling user without providing anotification regarding reception of a phone call or a message to a user.

The automatic message transmission 15 b is an icon for automaticallycompleting a response message by referring to information regarding anapplication and automatically transmitting the completed responsemessage to a calling user. Therefore, if the automatic messagetransmission 15 b is selected, it is not necessary to receive userinputs for selecting a type of a response message and a medium fortransmitting a response message.

The auto-start 15 c is an icon for automatically performing a callrejection function while a particular application is being executed. Ifthe auto-start 15 c is selected, a response message may be automaticallygenerated and the generated response message may be automaticallytransmitted to a calling user (e.g., the second user USER2). Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, if the auto-start 15 c is selected, a callrejection function may be automatically performed without providing anotification regarding reception of a phone call or a message to thefirst user USER1. According to another exemplary embodiment, if theauto-start 15 c is selected, a notification regarding reception of aphone call or a message may be provided to the first user USER1, andthen a call rejection function may be automatically performed. If theauto-start 15 c is selected, a screen image displayed on the firstdevice 100 may be changed to the screen image shown in FIG. 7B.

Referring to FIG. 7B, any number of a plurality of applications 16 athrough 16 j may be selected and, while the selected applications arebeing executed, a response message may be automatically transmitted tothe second user USER2 without providing a notification regardingreception of a phone call or a message. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 7B, the first user USER1 may select a navigation application 16 a,a fitness application 16 b, an internet banking application 16 f, amovie player application 16 h, and a VoIP application 16 i toautomatically generate a response message. Therefore, if the firstdevice 100 receives a phone call or a message from the second device 200while the navigation application 16 a, the fitness application 16 b, theinternet banking application 16 f, the movie player application 16 h, orthe VoIP application 16 i is being executed, the first device 100 mayautomatically generate a response message.

Referring back to FIG. 7A, the application utilization 15 d is an iconfor selecting an application for providing information for generating aresponse message. If the application utilization 15 d is selected, ascreen image displayed on the first device 100 may be changed to thescreen image shown in FIG. 7C.

Referring to FIG. 7C, any number of a plurality of applications 16 athrough 16 j may be selected and a response message may be generated byreferring to information regarding the selected application. Forexample, to generate a response message, the first user USER1 may selectthe navigation application 16 a, the fitness application 16 b, acalendar application 16 c, a movie ticket reservation application 16 d,and a train ticket reservation application 16 e. Therefore, the firstdevice 100 may generate a response message by referring to informationprovided by the navigation application 16 a and the fitness application16 b being currently executed on the first device 100 or the calendarapplication 16 c, the movie ticket reservation application 16 d, or themovie ticket reservation application 16 d previous executed on the firstdevice 100.

Referring back to FIG. 7A, the message type 15 e is an icon forselecting various message types based on information to provide via aresponse message. If the message type 15 e is selected, a screen imagedisplayed on the first device 100 may be changed to the screen imageshown in FIG. 7D.

Referring to FIG. 7D, message types may be selected for respectivegroups stored in a phone book or contact information stored in the firstdevice 100. For example, the first user USER1 may select differentmessage types for family members 17 a, friends 17 b, fellow workers 17c, customers 17 d, and other contacts 17 e, respectively. Furthermore,the first user USER1 may select a separate message type for unknownnumbers 17 f, which are numbers not stored in the first device 100.

Furthermore, regardless of groups stored in a phone book or contactinformation stored in the first device 100, a same message type may beselected with respect to all incoming call IDs. For example, if thefirst user USER1 selects all numbers 17 g, a same message type may beset with respect to all incoming call IDs. If the first user USER1selects one from among the family members 17 a, the friends 17 b, thefellow workers 17 c, the customers 17 d, the other contacts 17 e, theunknown numbers 17 f, and the all numbers 17 g, a screen image displayedon the first device 100 may be changed to the screen image shown in FIG.7E.

Referring to FIG. 7E, the first user USER1 may select information to beincluded in a response message with respect to a phone call or a messagereceived from a calling user included in a selected group. In detail,the USER1 may select at least one of a name of calling user 18 a,current situation 18 b, and a future situation 18 c or may select noneof the name of calling user 18 a, the current situation 18 b, and thefuture situation 18 c. For example, if the first user USER1 selects thefamily members 17 a, the first user USER1 may select all of the name ofcalling user 18 a, the current situation 18 b, and the future situation18 c. For another example, if the first user USER1 selects the unknownnumbers 17 f, the first user USER1 may select none of the name ofcalling user 18 a, the current situation 18 b, and the future situation18 c. Detailed descriptions thereof will be given below with referenceto FIGS. 14 through 16.

Furthermore, the first user USER1 may generate response messages withrespect to a phone call or a message from a calling user included in aselected group as a Q & A type 18 d. If the Q & A type 18 d is selected,the first device 100 may generate a first response message includingonly the current situation 18 b and transmit the first response messageto a calling party, for example. Next, if a message inquiring a point oftime when the first user USER1 will be available to reply to the phonecall or the message is received, the first device 100 may generate asecond response message including the future situation 18 c and transmitthe second response message to the calling user. Detailed descriptionsthereof will be given below with reference to FIG. 17.

Referring back to FIG. 7A, the call admission 15 f is an icon forforwarding a phone call or a message from a particular contact to a userwithout automatically transmitting a response message. If the calladmission 15 f is selected, a screen image displayed on the first device100 may be changed to the screen image shown in FIG. 7F.

Referring to FIG. 7F, the first user USER1 may set call admission withrespect to each of groups stored in contact information stored in thefirst device 100. For example, the first user USER1 may set calladmission with respect to family members 19 a, friends 19 b, fellowworkers 19 c, customers 19 d, and favorite contacts 19 e. Therefore, ifa phone call or a message is received from a calling user included in aselected group, a response message may not be generated even in callrejection mode.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams illustrating examples of response messagesaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a response message 20 may include name information21, activity information 22, and time information 23. However, exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the response message 20 may include the activity information22 and the time information 23 only. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the response message 20 may include the time information 23only.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the response message 20′ is a modified embodimentof the response message 20 shown in FIG. 8A, in which the responsemessage 20′ may include the name information 21, location information24, and the time information 23. However, exemplary embodiments are notlimited thereto. According to another exemplary embodiment, the responsemessage 20′ may include the location information 24 and the timeinformation 23 only. Meanwhile, the response message 20′ may includeroute information instead of the location information 24.

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating examples of information included in aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, a response message may include a name of a callingparty, a current situation, and an estimated point of time when the userwill reply to an incoming call, and information included in a responsemessage may vary based on types of applications. The name of a callinguser may correspond to the name information 21 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, thecurrent situation may correspond to the activity information 22 and thelocation information 24 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, and the estimated point oftime when the user will reply to an incoming call may correspond to thetime information 23 of FIGS. 8A and 8B.

Hereinafter, configuration of a response message will be described indetail with reference to FIGS. 4, 8A. 8B, and 9.

The name information 21 may be generated based on a name of the seconduser USER2 of the second device 200. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the name information 21 may be generated based on a namecorresponding to a number of the second device 200 stored in contactinformation stored in the first device 100. For example, if a namecorresponding to a number of the second device 200 stored in contactinformation stored in the first device 100 is “Chief Kim,” the nameinformation 21 may be generated as “Chief Kim.” According to anotherexemplary embodiment, the name information 21 may be generated based ona nickname of the second user USER2 based on a history of exchangingmessages between the first device 100 and the second device 200.According to another exemplary embodiment, if contact information storedin the first device 100 does not include a number of the second device200, the response message 20 may not include the name information 21.

The activity information 22 may be generated based on a currentsituation of the first user USER1, which may be determined based oninformation regarding an application being executed on the first device100. Here, a current situation of the first user USER1 may beautomatically completed based on a type of surrounding environment and acurrent activity.

The time information 23 may be generated based on a future situation ofthe first user USER1 estimated based on information regarding anapplication being executed on the first device 100. Here, a futuresituation of the first user USER1 may be automatically completed basedon an estimated time. In detail, the first device 100 may include anestimation module, and the estimation module may estimate a point oftime when the first user USER1 will be available to reply to an incomingcall.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example operation forgenerating a response message 20 a based on information provided by anavigation application 25 a, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 10A, if the navigation application 25 a is beingexecuted on the first device 100, the first device 100 may determine acurrent situation and a future situation of the first user USER1 basedon information provided by the navigation application 25 a. In detail,the first device 100 may determine a current situation that the firstuser USER1 is driving based on execution information provided by thenavigation application 25 a. Furthermore, based on information regardingestimated driving time 26 a provided by the navigation application 25 a,the first device 100 may estimate a future situation that the first userUSER1 will arrive at a destination in 12 minutes, for example.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an estimation module included inthe first device 100 may estimate a time period that the first userUSER1 stays at a current location based on current traffic conditions.According to another exemplary embodiment, an estimation module includedin the first device 100 may provide an estimated time of arrival at adestination based on location information of the destination and currenttraffic conditions.

Referring to FIG. 10B, the first device 100 may generate nameinformation 21 a as “Chief Kim” based on contact information, maygenerate situation information 22 a as “I am driving now” based onexecution information provided by the navigation application 25 a, andmay generate time information 23 a as “I will call you back in 12minutes” based on the information regarding estimated driving time 26 aprovided by the navigation application 25 a.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example operation forgenerating a response message 20 b based on information provided by afitness application 25 b, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11A, if the fitness application 25 b is being executedon the first device 100, the first device 100 may determine a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1 based oninformation provided by the fitness application 25 b. In detail, thefirst device 100 may determine a current situation that the first userUSER1 is exercising based on execution information provided by thefitness application 25 b. Furthermore, based on information regardingestimated exercising time 26 b provided by the fitness application 25 b,the first device 100 may estimate a future situation that the first userUSER1 will finish exercising, for example, in 10 minutes.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if the first user USER1 has set atarget exercise time on the fitness application 25 b, the first device100 may estimate an exercise finish time based on the set targetexercise time. According to another exemplary embodiment, if the firstuser USER1 has not set a target exercise time on the fitness application25 b, the first device 100 may estimate an exercise finish time based onan average exercise time of the first user USER1.

Referring to FIG. 11B, the first device 100 may generate nameinformation 21 b as “Chief Kim” based on contact information, maygenerate situation information 22 b as “I am exercising now” based onexecution information provided by the fitness application 25 b, and maygenerate time information 23 b as “I will call you back in 10 minutes”based on the information regarding estimated time 26 b provided by thefitness application 25 b.

Referring back to FIGS. 8B and 9, the location information 24 may begenerated based on current situation of the first user USER1 that isdetermined based on information regarding an application being executedon the first device 100. Here, the current situation of the first userUSER1 may be automatically completed based on a type of surroundingenvironment and a current location.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the location information 24 may begenerated based on an activity of the first user USER1. In detail, if acurrent activity of the first user USER1 is maintained for an activitydetermination time interval, the current activity is determined as theactivity of the first user USER1, and the location information 24 may begenerated based on the determined activity. For example, if the firstuser USER1 continues to ride a bicycle for an activity determinationtime interval, an activity of the first user USER1 may be determined asbicycle riding, and the location information 24 may be generated basedon a result of the determination.

In the case of generating the location information 24 based on anactivity of the first user USER1, various parameters may be considered.For example, a parameter “distance between MyPlaces” for comparingdistance between MyPlaces when shorter MyPlaces are considered as sameand merged, a parameter “location accuracy” for indicating the minimumaccuracy of a location log that is considered to be valid, a parameter“minimum hit count” indicating the minimum my location hit count to bedisplayed on a map, a parameter “average location” for using an averageof location logs as my location, a parameter “activity pattern inittime” or “activity pattern time since driving” for indicating a durationof an activity to initiate an activity pattern, a parameter “drivingconfidence” for indicating percentage reliability of a driving based onan activity recognition for stopping an activity pattern, a parameter“activity pattern max walk time” for indicating the maximum activitytime during which a user is walking, a parameter “activity pattern totaltime” for indicating a total time regarding an activity pattern after acurrent location is considered as my location, and a parameter “mergelocation logs” for merging location logs adjacent to one another to asingle log and drawing a single marker corresponding thereto on a mapmay be considered.

Referring to FIGS. 8B and 10 a, if the navigation application 25 a isbeing executed on the first device 100, information indicating that thefirst user USER1 is currently driving may be obtained from thenavigation application 25 a. If the first user USER1 is currently“driving,” the location information 24 may be generated as “I am in acar.”

Referring to FIGS. 8B and 11A, for example, if the fitness application25 b is being executed on the first device 100, information indicatingthat the first user USER1 is currently exercising may be obtained fromthe fitness application 25 b. If the first user USER1 is currently“swimming,” the location information 24 may be generated as “I am at aswimming pool.”

Referring back to FIGS. 8A and 9, according to another exemplaryembodiment, the location information 24 may be generated based on alocation of the first user USER1. In detail, if the first device 100 ismoved for a distance smaller than a critical distance during an activitydetermination time interval, a current location may be determined as alocation of the first user USER1 and the location information 24 may begenerated based on the determined location. For example, if the firstdevice 100 is moved for a distance smaller than 500 m during an activitydetermination time interval, a current location of the first device 100may be determined as a location of the first user USER1 and the locationinformation 24 may be generated based on a result of the determination.

In case of generating the location information 24 based on a location ofthe first user USER1 various parameters may be considered. For example,a parameter “distance between my locations,” a parameter “minimum hitcount,” a parameter “time spent in MyPlace,” and a parameter “same closelocation when still” for continuing a location pattern for a change oflocation of up to 500 m unless a final location log is changed may beconsidered.

Referring to FIGS. 8B, 9, and 10A, if the navigation application 25 a isbeing executed on the first device 100, information regarding a currentlocation, a point of departure, a destination, and a route of the firstuser USER1 may be obtained from the navigation application 25 a. If thecurrent location of the first user USER1 is ‘near the City Hall,’ thelocation information 24 may be generated as “I am near the City Hallnow.” Furthermore, if the destination of the first user USER1 is ‘home,’the location information 24 may be generated as “I am driving home, andI am near the City Hall now.”

Examples of the response messages 20 a and 20 b that may be generatedwhile the navigation application 25 a and the fitness application 25 bare being executed on the first device 100 are described above withrespect to FIGS. 10A through 11B. Hereinafter, examples of responsemessages that may be generated while other applications are beingexecuted on the first device 100 will be described in detail.

For example, if an e-learning application is being executed on the firstdevice 100, information indicating that the first user USER1 iscurrently studying may be obtained from the e-learning application, andthus the activity information 22 may be generated as ‘I am studying.’Furthermore, since information regarding playback time of correspondingstudy content may be obtained from the e-learning application, the timeinformation 23 may be generated based on a finish time estimated basedon the obtained information.

For another example, if an internet banking application is beingexecuted on the first device 100, information indicating that the firstuser USER1 is currently doing internet banking may be obtained from theinternet banking application, and thus the activity information 22 maybe generated as ‘I am doing banking.’ Furthermore, since informationregarding types of banking (e.g., account transfer, balance check) maybe obtained from the internet banking application, the time information23 may be generated based on a finish time estimated based on theobtained information.

For another example, if a movie player application is being executed onthe first device 100, information indicating that the first user USER1is currently watching a movie may be obtained from the movie playerapplication, and thus the activity information 22 may be generated as ‘Iam watching a movie.’ Furthermore, since information regarding playbacktime of corresponding movie content may be obtained from the movieplayer application, the time information 23 may be generated based on afinish time estimated based on the obtained information.

For another example, if a game application is being executed on thefirst device 100, information indicating that the first user USER1 iscurrently playing a game may be obtained from the game application, andthus the activity information 22 may be generated as ‘I am playing agame.’ Furthermore, since information regarding an average game playtime of the first user USER1 may be obtained from the game application,the time information 23 may be generated based on a finish timeestimated based on the obtained information

For another example, if a e-book application is being executed on thefirst device 100, information indicating that the first user USER1 iscurrently reading a book may be obtained from the e-book application,and thus the activity information 22 may be generated as ‘I am reading abook.’ Furthermore, since information regarding an average reading timeof the first user USER1 or a number of unread pages may be obtained fromthe e-book application, the time information 23 may be generated basedon a finish time estimated based on the obtained information.

For another example, if a phone call application (e.g., a VoIPapplication) is being executed on the first device 100, informationindicating that the first user USER1 is currently on another phone callmay be obtained from the phone call application, and thus the activityinformation 22 may be generated as ‘I am on the phone.’ Furthermore,since information regarding an average calling time of the first userUSER1 may be obtained from the phone call application, the timeinformation 23 may be generated based on a finish time estimated basedon the obtained information

Although embodiments for generating the activity information 22 and thetime information 23 based on information provided by an applicationbeing executed on the first device 100 are described above, exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the first device 100 may operate in conjunction with awearable device (e.g., 300 of FIG. 1B or 300 of FIG. 2B) that the firstuser USER1 is wearing. In detail, the activity information 22 and thetime information 23 may be generated based on information provided by anapplication being executed on a wearable device. Detailed descriptionsthereof will be given below with reference to FIGS. 41 through 51 and 57through 60.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 mayoperate in conjunction with an electronic device located near the firstuser USER1 (e.g., a smart TV or a navigation device). In detail, theactivity information 22 and the time information 23 may be generatedbased on information provided by an application being executed on anelectronic device. Detailed descriptions thereof will be given belowwith reference to FIGS. 52 through 60.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for generatinga response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 12, an operation for generating a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an example of theoperation S640 of FIG. 6 and includes operations that arechronologically performed by the first device 100 of FIG. 1. In detail,an operation for generating a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment corresponds to an operation for generating a response messagewhen the first user USER1 has selected types of messages for respectivegroups as shown in FIGS. 7D and 7E before a phone call or a message isreceived from the second device 200.

In an operation S1200, types of response messages are determined withrespect to incoming call IDs. In detail, information to be transmittedto calling users may be determined based on at least one of contactinformation, recent call history, recent message transmission andreception history, and setting information, or any other method.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may determineinformation to be transmitted to a calling user, e.g., the second userUSER2, via a response message based on at least one of contactinformation (e.g., a phone book), recent call history, and recentmessage transmission and reception history stored in the first device100. Here, the information to be transmitted may be informationregarding a current situation or a future situation of the first userUSER1.

In detail, if the second user USER2 is not included in contactinformation stored in the first device 100, the second user USER2 is notlikely be in a close relationship with to the first user USER1.Furthermore, even if the second user USER2 is included in contactinformation stored in the first device 100, if the first user USER1 andthe second user USER2 exchange phone calls or text messages with afrequency less than a critical frequency, the second user USER2 is notlikely be in a close relationship with the first user USER1. In thesecases, it may not be preferable to include details regarding a currentsituation of a future situation of the first user USER1 in a responsemessage.

Meanwhile, if the second user USER2 is included in contact informationstored in the first device 100 and the first user USER1 and the seconduser USER2 exchange phone calls or text messages with a frequency equalto or greater than a critical frequency, the second user USER2 maylikely be in a close relationship with the first user USER1.Furthermore, if the second user USER2 is categorized as a favoritecontact or a VIP in contact information stored in the first device 100,the second user USER2 may likely be in a close relationship with firstuser USER1. In such cases, it may be preferable to include detailsregarding a current situation and a future situation of the first userUSER1 in a response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, information to be transmittedto a calling user, e.g., the second user USER2, via a response messagemay be based on a setting information input by the first user USER1 inadvance. For example, the first user USER1 may designate particularusers to transmit a current situation or a future situation via aresponse message individually.

In an operation S1210, based on a determined type, a response message isgenerated based on information provided by an application. In detail,the first device 100 may generate a response message including onlyinformation determined in the operation S1200. Therefore, responsemessages may be categorized into various types.

FIG. 13 is a table illustrating various types of response messagesaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 13, a first type response message TYPE1 may include acurrent situation of a user. For example, if the first user USER1 isdriving for a long time or is in a long conference, it may be difficultto estimate a point of time when the first user USER1 will be availableto reply to an incoming call. In this case, the first type responsemessage TYPE1 may be selected. In detail, the first device 100 maygenerate a first type response message TYPE1 including a currentsituation of the first user USER1, such as a location, a route, or asituation of the first user USER1. For example, a first type responsemessage TYPE1 may be generated as “I am exercising now,” “I am on my wayto the company now,” or “I am driving now.”

A second type response message TYPE2 may include a current situation anda future situation of a user. For example, if the second user USER2 is amember of the family of first user USER1, the first user USER1 mayselect a second type response message TYPE2. In detail, the first device100 may generate a second type response message TYPE2 including acurrent situation of the first user USER1, such as a location, a route,or a situation of the first user USER1 and a future situation includinga point of time when the first user USER1 will be available to reply toan incoming call. For example, a second type response message TYPE2 maybe generated as “I am driving now. I will call you in 1 hour,” “I amexercising now. I will be available for a phone call in 30 minutes,” or“I am watching a movie at a theater now. I will be available for a phonecall in 2 hours.”

A third type response message TYPE3 may include a future situation of auser. For example, if the second user USER2 is a fellow worker, thefirst user USER1 may not want to transmit information regarding privatelife of the first user USER1. In this case, the first user USER1 mayselect a third type response message TYPE3. In detail, the first device100 may generate a third type response message TYPE3 including a futuresituation including a point of time when the first user USER1 will beavailable to reply to an incoming call. For example, a third typeresponse message TYPE3 may be generated as “I will call you in 1 hour”or “I will be available for a phone call in 20 minutes. Is this anurgent business?”

A fourth type response message TYPE4 may not include a current situationand a future situation. For example, if the second user USER2 is notincluded in contact information stored in the first device 100 or thefirst user USER1 and the second user USER2 contact each other with a lowfrequency, the first user USER1 may select a fourth type responsemessage TYPE4. For example, a fourth type response message TYPE4 may begenerated as “I am not available for a phone call right now” or “I willcall you back later.”

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example operation for generatingvarious types of response messages as shown in FIG. 13.

Referring to FIG. 14, a method of generating a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an embodiment ofthe operation S640 shown in FIG. 6 and includes operations that arechronologically performed by the first device 100 of FIG. 1.Furthermore, a method of generating a response message according to anexemplary embodiment may correspond to an embodiment of the operationS1210 shown in FIG. 12 and may be performed after the operation S1200.

In an operation S1400, it is determined whether determined informationincludes a current situation. If the determined information includes acurrent situation, an operation S1410 is performed. If not, an operationS1450 is performed.

In the operation S1410, at least one of a location, a route, and anactivity of a user is determined based in information regarding anapplication. In detail, while an incoming call is being received by thefirst device 100, the first device 100 may determine at least one of alocation, a route, and an activity of a user based in informationregarding an application.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the application may be anavigation application or a map application, and information regardingthe application may be a point of departure, a destination input to thenavigation application, or a current location. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, the application may be a scheduler application,and information regarding the application may be type of a currentschedule or location of the current schedule input to the schedulerapplication. According to another exemplary embodiment, the applicationmay be a fitness application, and information regarding the applicationmay be type of a current exercise or location of the current exerciseinput to the fitness application.

In an operation S1415, a response message including a current situationobtained as a result of the determination is generated. In detail, thefirst device 100 may generate a response message including a currentlocation, a current schedule, a current exercise, or a current situationof the first user USER1.

In an operation 1420, it is determined whether determined informationincludes a future situation. If the determined information includes afuture situation, an operation S1425 is performed. If not, an operation51440 is performed. In the operation 51440, a first type responsemessage TYPE1 is provided. In detail, the first device 100 may provide afirst type response message TYPE1 including a current situation of thefirst user USER1.

In the operation S1425, a point of time when the first user USER1 willbe available to reply to an incoming call is estimated based oninformation regarding an application. In detail, the first device 100may estimate a point of time when the first user USER1 will be availableto reply to an incoming call based on information regarding anapplication that is being executed while the first device 100 isreceiving an incoming call.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the application may be anavigation application or a map application, and information regardingthe application may be a destination input to the navigationapplication, a current location, a distance to the destination, anestimated driving time to the destination, or a current trafficcondition. According to another exemplary embodiment, the applicationmay be a scheduler application, and information regarding theapplication may be a start time of a current schedule or an end time ofthe current schedule input to the scheduler application. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the application may be a fitnessapplication, and information regarding the application may be a starttime of a current exercise or an end time of the current exercise inputto the fitness application.

In an operation S1430, a response message further including a futuresituation including a result of estimation is generated. In detail, thefirst device 100 may generate a response message which includes acurrent situation of the first user USER1 and a future situation of thefirst user USER1, such as a point of time when the first user USER1 willbe available to reply to an incoming call. In an operation S1435, asecond type response message TYPE2 is provided. In detail, the firstdevice 100 may provide a second type response message TYPE2 including acurrent situation and a future situation of the first user USER1.

In an operation S1450, it is determined whether determined informationincludes a future situation. If the determined information includes afuture situation, an operation S1455 is performed. If not, an operationS1470 is performed.

In the operation S1455, a point of time when the first user USER1 willbe available to reply to an incoming call is estimated based oninformation regarding an application. The operation S1455 may besubstantially similar to the operation S1425. In an operation S1460, aresponse message including a future situation including a result ofestimation is generated. In an operation S1465, a third type responsemessage TYPE3 is provided. In detail, the first device 100 may provide athird type response message TYPE3 including a future situation of thefirst user USER1.

In the operation 51470, a response message including a call rejectionmessage is generated. In other words, the first device 100 may generatea response message in the form of a general response message without acurrent situation and a future situation of the first user USER1. In anoperation S1475, a fourth type response message TYPE4 is provided. Indetail, the first device 100 may provide a fourth type response messageTYPE4 that does not include a current situation and a future situationof the first user USER1.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating another example operation forgenerating a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, a method of generating a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an embodiment ofthe operation S640 shown in FIG. 6 and includes operations that arechronologically performed by the first device 100 of FIG. 1. In detail,the operation of generating a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment corresponds to an operation for generating a response messagein a case in which the first user USER1 has selected the Q & A type 18 dfunction as shown in FIG. 7E before a phone call or a message isreceived from the second device 200.

In an operation 51500, a first response message including neither acurrent situation nor a future situation is generated. In detail, afirst response message initially transmitted to the second user USER2may be generated to include information indicating that the first userUSER1 is unable to respond to an incoming call from the second userUSER2. Here, the first response message may correspond to a fourth typeresponse message TYPE4 as described above with reference to FIG. 13. Forexample, the first response message may be generated as “I am notavailable for a phone call right now.” In this case, it is not necessaryfor the first user USER1 to perform a separate selection for generatingthe first response message, and it is not necessary for the first device100 to receive information from other applications and process theinformation for generating the first response message.

In an operation S1510, a second response message including at least oneof a current situation and a future situation is generated in responseto a reply message from a caller user. For example, the first device 100may receive a reply message “Where are you now?” from the second userUSER2. Here, the first device 100 may generate a second response messageincluding a current situation regarding a current location (e.g., “I amnear the City Hall now”).

The operation S1510 may be repeatedly performed in response to replymessages from a calling user. For example, the first device 100 mayfurther receive a reply message “When will you be available for a phonecall?” from the second user USER2. Here, the first device 100 mayfurther generate a second response message including a future situationregarding point of time when the first user USER1 will be available fora phone call (e.g., “I will call you in 1 hour”).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating another example operation forgenerating a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, an operation for generating a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an embodiment ofthe operation S640 shown in FIG. 6 and includes operations that arechronologically performed by the first device 100 of FIG. 1.

In an operation S1600, contact information is searched and a groupincluding a calling user is determined. Here, the contact informationmay be a phone book stored in the first device 100, and the phone bookmay be divided into a plurality of groups. The plurality of groups mayinclude fellow workers, friends, family members, etc. Generally, it isnecessary to transmit polite and formal messages to people in the fellowworkers group. On the other hand, messages in an informal and casualmanner may be transmitted to people in the friends group or the familymembers group.

In an operation 51610, a response message is generated based on at leastone of a receiver format and a sender format according to a determinedgroup.

FIG. 17 is a table illustrating sender formats and receiver formatsaccording to groups, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 17, a first group may be a fellow workers group, as anexample, whereas a second group may be a friends group or a familymembers group, as an example. The first group and the second group maybe set by a user in advance.

In a case of transmitting a message to the first group, a receiverformat may be ‘Mr.’ or ‘Ms.,’ for example, whereas a sender format maybe ‘Yours sincerely,’ for example. For example, if the name of thesecond user USER2 is stored in a phone book stored in the first device100 as ‘Mark Brown,’ a response message may be generated to include aphrase “Mr. Brown.”

In a case of transmitting a to the first group, a receiver format may bea first name, for example, whereas a sender format may be ‘regards,’ forexample. For example, if the name of the second user USER2 is stored ina phone book stored in the first device 100 as ‘Mark Brown,’ a responsemessage may be generated to include the first name “Mark,”

FIGS. 18A and 18B are diagrams illustrating examples of responsemessages including receiver formats corresponding to the first group ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 18A shows an example of transmitting a response message to thesecond user USER2 via a text message if it is determined that the seconduser USER2 is in the first group. Here, a receiver 28 a may be generatedas ‘Mr. Brown,’ and a text 28 b may be automatically generated toinclude a current situation or a future situation determined orestimated by the first device 100.

FIG. 18B shows an example of transmitting a response message to thesecond user USER2 via an e-mail if it is determined that the second userUSER2 is in the first group. Here, a receiver 28 c may be generated as‘Dear Mr. Brown,’ a sender 28 e may be generated as ‘Yours sincerely.’and a text 28 d may be automatically generated to include a currentsituation or a future situation of the first user USER1 determined orestimated by the first device 100.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams illustrating examples of responsemessages including receiver formats corresponding to the second group ofFIG. 17.

FIG. 19A shows an example of transmitting a response message to thesecond user USER2 via a text message if it is determined that the seconduser USER2 is in the second group. Here, a receiver 29 a may begenerated as ‘Mark,’ and a text 29 b may be automatically generated toinclude a current situation or a future situation determined orestimated by the first device 100.

FIG. 19B shows an example of transmitting a response message to thesecond user USER2 via an e-mail if it is determined that the second userUSER2 is in the second group. Here, a receiver 29 c may be generated as‘Dear Mark,’ a sender 29 e may be generated as ‘regards,’ and a text 29d may be automatically generated to include a current situation or afuture situation of the first user USER1 determined or estimated by thefirst device 100.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstand second devices 100 and 200 according to a method of providing aresponse message according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 20, the method of providing a response message is amodified embodiment of the method of providing a response message ofFIG. 6 and includes operations that are chronologically performed by thefirst and second devices 100 and 200. Descriptions given above withrespect to the first and second devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 4 mayalso be applied to the method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S2000, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. Here, the call rejection function may be set up with respectto a particular application, a particular contact, or a particular timeslot, in which the descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 7Athrough 7F may also be applied here. In an operation S2010, the seconddevice 200 transmits a phone call or a message to the first device 100.In an operation S2020, the first device 100 receives the phone call orthe message from the second device 200.

In an operation 52030, when a phone call or a message is received fromthe second device 200, the first device 100 provides a UI elementcorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. Forexample, the first device 100 may display a UI element corresponding toa phone call or a message on a display screen of the first device 100.As another example, the first device 100 may output a UI elementcorresponding to a phone call or a message via a speaker of the firstdevice 100.

Here, the UI element may provide options including accept/answer,reject/decline, or transmit a response message with respect to areceived phone call. Furthermore, the UI element may provide optionsincluding reply or transmit a response message with respect to areceived message. Here, a response message transmitting mode may bereferred to as a Do Not Disturb mode, a Reject With Message mode, or aReply With Message mode.

Here, a UI element may refer to an icon, a text, an image, a button, ora sound for the first device 100 to interact with the first user USER1.For example, a UI element may include an element that may be operated bya user and element for providing information to the user. Furthermore, aUI element may include a graphical user interface (GUI) element and acharacter user interface (CUI) element. However, exemplary embodimentsare not limited thereto.

In an operation S2040, a user input for selecting to reject/decline orto transmit a response message with respect to a phone call or selectingto transmit a response message with respect to a message is received.According to an exemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 may select aUI element corresponding to transmission of a response message fromamong UI elements displayed on the display screen of the first device100, and the first device 100 may receive a user input corresponding tothe selection via a UI. According to another exemplary embodiment, thefirst user USER1 may select a UI element corresponding to reject/declinefrom among UI elements displayed on the display screen of the firstdevice 100, and the first device 100 may receive a user inputcorresponding to the selection via a UI.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a user input may be detected bythe first device 100 based on a gesture or a movement of a user.According to another exemplary embodiment, a user input may be receivedby the first device 100 based on a user's voice.

In an operation S2050, the first device 100 obtains informationregarding an application being executed on the first device 100. Indetail, the first device 100 may obtain information regarding anapplication being executed on the first device 100 in the operations2020 through 2040. In an operation S2060, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message including at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation based on the obtained informationregarding the application.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message list including a plurality of response messagecandidates and display the generated response message list on thedisplay screen of the first device 100. Next, by receiving a user inputbased on a selection of the first user USER1, the first device 100 mayprovide a selected response message. In other words, a plurality ofresponse message candidates may be automatically generated by the firstdevice 100, and one from among the plurality of response messagecandidates may be manually selected by the first user USER1.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a plurality of response message candidates, select one fromamong the generated response message candidates based on a history oftransmitting a response message in the first device 100, and provide theselected response message. In other words, a plurality of responsemessage candidates may be automatically generated by the first device100, and one from among the plurality of response message candidates maybe automatically selected by the first device 100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate one response message based on a history of transmitting aresponse message in the first device 100 and provide the generatedresponse message. In other words, a response message may beautomatically generated by the first device 100.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operations S2050 and S2060 maybe performed by a phone application or a message application installedon the first device 100. In other words, a phone application or amessage application installed on the first device 100 may include a callrejection function. Therefore, when a phone call or a message isreceived by the first device 100, a call rejection function may beactivated in a phone application or a message application. In detail, anapplication installed on the first device 100 may provide necessaryinformation for generating a response message to a phone application ora message application via an API, and the phone application or themessage application may generate a response message based on informationreceived from the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operations S2050 andS2060 may be performed by a dedicated response message providingapplication installed on the first device 100, and the response messageproviding application may be executed in conjunction with a phoneapplication or a message application installed on the first device 100.Therefore, when a phone call or a message is received by the firstdevice 100, the phone application or the message application mayactivate a call rejection function of a response message providingapplication. In detail, an application installed on the first device 100may provide necessary information for generating a response message to aresponse message providing application via an API, and the responsemessage providing application may generate a response message based oninformation received from the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operations S2050 andS2060 may be performed by a platform of the first device 100. Therefore,when a phone call or a message is received by the first device 100, aplatform may activate a call rejection function. In detail, anapplication installed on the first device 100 may provide necessaryinformation for generating a response message to a platform, and theplatform may generate a response message based on information receivedfrom the application.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operations S2050 andS2060 may be performed by an external server. Therefore, when a phonecall or a message is received by the first device 100, a server mayactivate a call rejection function. In detail, an application installedon the first device 100 may provide necessary information for generatinga response message to a server, and the server may generate a responsemessage based on information received from the application.

In an operation 52070, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. Here, the response message may be transmittedvia a SMS, a SNS, such as Facebook or Twitter, a chatting service, suchas KakaoTalk or Line, or e-mail, etc.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example operation for receiving auser input of FIG. 20.

Referring to FIG. 21, when a phone call is received by the first device100, a plurality of options 30 a, 30 b, and 30 c corresponding to thereceived phone call may be displayed on a screen image via UI elements.According to an exemplary embodiment, a first option 30 a may be an iconcorresponding to acceptance with respect to a phone call, a secondoption 30 b may be an icon corresponding to rejection with respect to aphone call, and a third option 30 c may be an icon corresponding totransmitting a response message with respect to a phone call.

The first device 100 may detect a selecting gesture of the first userUSER1 with respect to the plurality of options 30 a, 30 b, and 30 c.According to an exemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 may selectthe third option 30 c. According to another exemplary embodiment, thefirst user USER1 may select the second option 30 b. Here, variousselecting gestures may be employed according to exemplary embodiments.For example, selecting gestures may include tapping, double-tapping,dragging, swiping, flicking, and drag-and-drop, but are not limitedthereto.

Here, the term “tapping” refers to a motion in which a user touches adisplay screen by using a finger or a stylus (e.g., an electronic pen)and lifts the finger or the stylus off the display screen without movingthe same on the display screen. The term “double-tapping” refers to amotion in which a user touches a display screen twice by using a fingeror a stylus.

The term “dragging” refers to a motion that a user touches a displayscreen by using a finger or a stylus and moving the finger or the stylusto another location on the display screen without lifting up the fingeror the stylus. An object may be moved or a panning operation describedbelow may be performed via a dragging operation. The term “flicking”refers to a motion that a user drags a finger or a stylus on a displayscreen at a speed equal to or greater than a critical speed (e.g. 100pixels/s). Based on whether a moving speed of a finger or a stylus isequal to or greater than a critical speed (e.g., 100 pixels/s), adragging (or panning) may be distinguished from a flicking.

The term “drag-and-drop” refers to a motion that a user drags an objecton the display to a designated location on a display screen by using afinger or a stylus and lifts up the finger or the stylus. The term“swiping” refers to a motion that a user touches an object on a displayscreen by using a finger or a stylus and moving the finger or the stylusfor a designated distance in a horizontal direction or a verticaldirection. A movement in a diagonal direction may not be recognized as aswiping event.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for generatinga response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 22, an operation for generating a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an example of theoperation S2060 of FIG. 20 and includes operations that may bechronologically performed by the first device 100 of FIG. 1.

In an operation S2200, a current situation of a user is determined basedon information provided by an application. For example, based onschedule information provided by a scheduler application, the firstdevice 100 may determine that the first user USER1 is currently inconference. For another example, based on exercise information providedby a fitness application, the first device 100 may determine that thefirst user USER1 is currently exercising. For another example, based ondestination information or current location information provided by anavigation application, the first device 100 may determine that thefirst user USER1 is currently driving.

In an operation S2210, a plurality of selection requests are provided toa user via voice or text based on the determined current situation. Indetail, the first device 100 provides a plurality of selection requests,such as a request to select type of a message, a request to selectcontent of the message, a request to select a medium for messagecommunication, and a request to select a message form, to the first userUSER1.

FIG. 23A is a diagram illustrating an example operation for providing aplurality of selection requests of FIG. 22.

Referring to FIG. 23A, a selection request ala may be provided as a texton the display screen of the first device 100. For example, if the firstuser USER1 is in conference, the first device 100 may provide aplurality of selection requests as texts on the display screen of thefirst device 100. Here, the term ‘text’ is used in a broad sense and mayinclude icons and emoticons, etc.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the selection request 31 a may bea request to select content of a message, may be displayed on thedisplay screen of the first device 100 as “Please select content ofmessage,” and message contents to be selected may be displayed on thedisplay screen of the first device 100 as a plurality of texts TEXT1,TEXT2, TEXT3, and TEXT4.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of texts TEXT1,TEXT2, TEXT3, and TEXT4 may be automatically generated based oninformation regarding an application being executed on the first device100. Furthermore, a sequence of displaying the plurality of texts TEXT1,TEXT2, TEXT3, and TEXT4 on the display screen of the first device 100may be automatically determined based on a selection history of a user,selection frequencies, contact information, etc. For example, a latesttext used by the first user USER1 may be displayed at an uppermostlocation.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a first text TEXT1 may be a firsttype response message (e.g., “I am in conference now”), a second textTEXT2 may be a second type response message (e.g., “I am in conferencenow. I will call you in 30 minutes”), a third text TEXT3 may be a thirdtype response message (e.g., “I will call you in 30 minutes”), and afourth text TEXT4 may be a fourth type response message (e.g., “I am notavailable for a phone call right now”).

FIG. 23B is a diagram illustrating another example operation forproviding a plurality of selection requests.

Referring to FIG. 23B, a selection request 32 b may be provided via aspeaker of the first device 100 as a voice. For example, if the firstuser USER1 is driving, the first device 100 may provide a plurality ofselection requests via the speaker as voices.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the selection request 32 b may bea request to select content of a message, may be output via the speakerof the first device 100 as “Please select content of message,” andmessage contents to be selected may be output via the speaker of thefirst device 100 as voices corresponding to reading of a plurality oftexts TEXT1, TEXT2, TEXT3, and TEXT4.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of texts TEXT1,TEXT2, TEXT3, and TEXT4 may be automatically generated based oninformation regarding an application being executed on the first device100. Furthermore, a sequence of outputting the plurality of texts TEXT1,TEXT2, TEXT3, and TEXT4 via the speaker of the first device 100 may beautomatically determined based on a selection history of a user,selection frequencies, contact information, etc. For example, a latesttext used by the first user USER1 may be output first.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may output afirst text TEXT1 through the speaker as “Do you want to select a messagesaying “I am in conference now”?,” output a second text TEXT2 as “Do youwant to select a message saying “I am in conference now. I will call youin 30 minutes”?,” output a third text TEXT3 as “Do you want to select amessage saying “I will call you in 30 minutes”?,” and output a fourthtext TEXT4 as “Do you want to select a message saying “I am notavailable for a phone call right now”?.”

Referring back to FIG. 22, in the operation S2220, a result of a userselection may be received via a voice, a text, or a motion of a user.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if the selection request 31 a isdisplayed on a display screen as a text as shown in FIG. 23A, a resultof user selection may be detected from a selecting gesture. Here,various selecting gestures may be employed according to exemplaryembodiments. For example, selecting gestures may include tapping,double-tapping, dragging, swiping, flicking, and drag-and-drop, but arenot limited thereto.

According to another exemplary embodiment, if the selection request 31 bis output as a voice via a speaker as shown in FIG. 23B, a result ofuser selection may be detected from a voice of a user. For example, thefirst user USER1 may answer with either “Yes” or “No,” and the firstdevice 100 may receive a result of selection of the first user USER1based on an answer of the first user USER1.

According to another exemplary embodiment, if the selection request 31 bis output as a voice via a speaker as shown in FIG. 23B, a result ofuser selection may be detected from a motion of a user. For example, thefirst user USER1 may perform a motion for shaking or rotating a wearabledevice during an exercise, and thus the first device 100 may receive aresult of selection of the first user USER1 by using movement of thewearable device.

In an operation S2230, a response message is generated based on areceived result of selection. In detail, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message based on a result of selection of the firstuser USER1 and transmit the generated response message to the seconddevice 200.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating another example of operations of thefirst and second devices 100 and 200 according to a method of providinga response message according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 24, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of the method ofproviding a response message of FIG. 20 and includes operations that maybe chronologically performed by the first and second devices 100 and200. Descriptions given above with respect to the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 4 may also be applied to the method ofproviding a response message here.

In an operation 52400, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation 52410, the second device 200 transmits a phonecall or a message to the first device 100. In an operation 52420, thefirst device 100 receives the phone call or the message from the seconddevice 200. In an operation 52430, when the phone call or the message isreceived from the second device 200, the first device 100 provides UIelements corresponding to the received phone call or the receivedmessage. In an operation S2440, the first device 100 receives a userinput for selecting to reject or to transmit a response message.

In an operation S2450, the first device 100 obtains informationregarding an application being executed on the first device 100. Indetail, the first device 100 may obtain information regarding anapplication being executed on the first device 100 in the operations2420 through 2440. In an operation S2460, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message including at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation based on the obtained informationregarding the application.

In an operation S2470, the first device 100 selects at least one fromamong a plurality of communication media. Here, the plurality ofcommunication media may include at least one of a SMS, a SNS, such asFacebook or Twitter, a chatting service, such as KakaoTalk or Line, ore-mail.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may selectone from among a plurality of communication media based on contactinformation stored in the first device 100. For example, if a phonenumber of the second device 200 is not included in the contactinformation stored in the first device 100, the first device 100 mayselect a SMS. According to another exemplary embodiment, the firstdevice 100 may select at least one from among a plurality ofcommunication media based on frequencies with which the first user USER1and the second user USER2 have used respective communication media or arecent history of use of the communication media by the first user USER1and the second user USER2.

According to an exemplary embodiment, at least one from among aplurality of communication media may be manually selected by the firstuser USER1 based on preferences of the first user USER1. Detaileddescriptions thereof will be given below with reference to FIGS. 25 and26. According to another exemplary embodiment, at least one from among aplurality of communication media may be automatically selected by thefirst device 100 based on preferences of the first user USER1. Detaileddescriptions thereof will be given below with reference to FIG. 27.

In an operation 52480, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. In detail, the first device 100 may transmit aresponse message to the second device 200 via the communication mediumselected in the operation S2470.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for selecting acommunication medium according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 25, an operation for selecting a communication mediumaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an example of theoperation S2470 of FIG. 24, may be performed after the operation S2460,and may include operations that are chronologically performed by thefirst device 100.

In an operation S2500, a sequence of displaying a plurality ofcommunication media is determined.

First, the first device 100 determines available communication mediawith respect to the second device 200 based on contact informationstored in the first device 100. In detail, the first device 100determines a plurality of available communication media options to beprovided to a first user USER1 based on information regarding the seconduser USER2 stored in contact information, e.g., a phone number, ane-mail address, a homepage address, an ID of a SNS, an ID of a chattingservice, etc.

Next, the first device 100 may determine a sequence of displaying aplurality of communication media based on frequencies with which thefirst user USER1 and the second user USER2 have used respectivecommunication media, a recent history of use of the communication mediaby the first user USER1 or the second user USER2, whether the seconduser USER2 uses a communication service, and a history of transmittingresponse messages. For example, if the latest response messagetransmitted with respect to the second device 200 was transmitted via ane-mail, the first device 100 may determine to display e-mail at the topof a plurality of communication media.

In an operation 52510, a plurality of communication media are displayedin the determined sequence. In an operation 52520, a user input forselecting one from among the plurality of communication media isreceived.

FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example operation for receiving theuser input of FIG. 25.

Referring to FIG. 26, the first device 100 may display a communicationmedium selection request 32 on the display screen. However, exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the first device 100 may output a communication mediaselection request via a speaker.

Furthermore, the first device 100 may display a plurality ofcommunication media according to a displaying sequence determined in theoperation S2500 of FIG. 25. Here, a communication medium displayed atthe top of the plurality of communication media may be a communicationmedium that is mostly likely be selected by a user.

The first user USER1 may select at least one from among a plurality ofcommunication media via a selecting gesture, such as tapping,double-tapping, dragging, swiping, flicking, and drag-and-drop, and thefirst device 100 may detect a selection of the first user USER1 andtransmit a response message via a communication medium selected by thefirst user USER1.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating another example operation forselecting a communication medium according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 27, an operation for selecting a communication mediumaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an example of theoperation S2470 of FIG. 24, may be performed after the operation S2460,and may include operations that may be chronologically performed by thefirst device 100.

In an operation 52700, contact information is searched. In detail, thefirst device 100 looks up contact information stored in the first device100, that is, a phone book.

In an operation S2710, it is determined whether the contact informationincludes an incoming call ID. In detail, the first device 100 maydetermine whether the contact information includes a phone number of thesecond device 200. If it is determined that the contact informationincludes the incoming call ID, one from among operations S2730, S2750,and S2770 is performed. Here, a sequence of performing the operationsS2730, S2750, and S2770 may be set by the first user USER1 in advance.Meanwhile, if the contact information does not include the incoming callID, an operation 2720 is performed. In the operation S2720, the firstdevice 100 selects a SMS.

In the operation S2730, it is determined whether the contact informationincludes a SNS account. In detail, the first device 100 may determinewhether the contact information includes a SNS account of the seconduser USER2. If it is determined that the contact information includes aSNS account, an operation S2735 is performed. If not, an operationS2750, S2770, or S2720 is performed.

In the operation S2735, a SNS application is executed. In an operationS2740, it is determined whether a calling user uses a SNS. In detail,the first device 100 may execute a SNS application, such as Facebook andTwitter and determine whether the second user USER2 actually uses a SNSby searching for a history of the second user USER2 using the SNS.

In the operation S2750, it is determined whether the contact informationincludes a chatting account. In detail, the first device 100 maydetermine whether the contact information includes a chatting account ofthe second user USER2. If it is determined that the contact informationincludes a chatting account, an operation S2755 is performed. If not,the operation S2730. S2770, or S2720 is performed.

In the operation S2755, a chatting application is executed. In anoperation S2760, it is determined whether a calling user uses a chattingservice. In detail, the first device 100 may execute a chattingapplication, such as KakaoTalk and Line and determine whether the seconduser USER2 actually uses a chatting service by searching for a historyof the second user USER2 using the chatting service.

In the operation S2770, it is determined whether the contact informationincludes an e-mail address. In detail, the first device 100 maydetermine whether the contact information includes an e-mail address ofthe second user USER2. If it is determined that the contact informationincludes an e-mail address, an operation S2775 is performed. If not, theoperation S2730, S2750, or S2720 is performed.

In the operation S2775, an e-mail application is executed. In anoperation S2780, it is determined whether a calling user has exchangede-mails with the calling user. In detail, the first device 100 mayexecute an e-mail application and determine whether the first user USER1has exchanged e-mails with the second user USER2 by searching for ahistory of exchanging e-mails with the second user USER2.

In an operation S2790, at least one of a SNS, a chatting, an e-mail, anda SMS is selected based on contact information and a history oftransmitting response messages. In detail, the first device 100 maydetermine frequencies with which the first user USER1 and the seconduser USER2 have used respective services based on a history indicatingthat the first user USER1 and the second user USER2 have exchangedresponse messages and select SNS, chatting service, e-mail, or SMS baseda result of the determination. For example, if the first user USER1mainly transmits response messages to the second user USER2 via SMS eventhough all of an SNS account, a chatting account, and an e-mail addressof the second user USER2 are stored in contact information stored in thefirst device 100, the first device 100 may select SMS.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 28, the method of providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment is a modified method of providing aresponse message of FIG. 3. Therefore, descriptions given above withreference to FIG. 3 may also be applied here.

In an operation S2800, time information is obtained from an applicationinstalled on a device. In an operation S2810, a call request, and moreparticularly, a phone call or a message is received from a calling user.In an operation S2820, a response message including informationregarding a current situation based on information regarding anapplication is provided to the calling user.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstand second devices 100 and 200 according to a method of providing aresponse message.

Referring to FIG. 29, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that may bechronologically performed by the first and second devices 100 and 200.Descriptions given above with respect to the first and second devices100 and 200 shown in FIG. 4 may also be applied to the method ofproviding a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S2900, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. The call rejection function may be set up with respect to aparticular application, a particular contact, or a particular time slot,in which any of the descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 7Athrough 7F may also be applied.

In an operation S2910, the first device 100 obtains time informationfrom an application installed on the first device 100. For example, inthe case of a movie ticket reservation application, the time informationmay include a start time and an end time of a movie. As another example,in the case of a scheduler application, the time information may includea start time and an end time of a scheduled appointment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operation S2910 may beperformed by a phone application or a message application installed onthe first device 100. In other words, a phone application or a messageapplication installed on the first device 100 may include a callrejection function. Therefore, when time information is input to anapplication installed on the first device 100, a phone application or amessage application may be activated. In detail, an application beingcurrently executed on the first device 100 may provide time informationfor generating a response message to a phone application or a messageapplication via an API, and the phone application or the messageapplication may store the received time information.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S2910 may beperformed by a dedicated call rejection application installed on thefirst device 100, and the call rejection application may be executed inconjunction with a phone application or a message application installedon the first device 100. Therefore, when time information is input to anapplication installed on the first device 100, the call rejectionapplication may be activated. In detail, an application installed on thefirst device 100 may provide time information for generating a responsemessage to a call rejection application via an API, and the callrejection application may store the received time information.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S2910 may beperformed by a platform of the first device 100. Therefore, when timeinformation is input to an application installed on the first device100, a platform may activate a call rejection function. In detail, anapplication installed on the first device 100 may provide timeinformation for generating a response message to a platform, and theplatform may store the received time information.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S2910 may beperformed by an external server. Therefore, when time information isinput to an application installed on the first device 100, a server mayactivate a call rejection function. In detail, an application installedon the first device 100 may provide time information for generating aresponse message to a server, and the server may store the received timeinformation.

In an operation S2920, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or amessage to the first device 100. In an operation S2930, the first device100 receives the phone call or the message from the second device 200.

In an operation S2940, if a point of time when the phone call or themessage is received corresponds to time information obtained in theoperation S2910, the first device 100 automatically generates a responsemessage. In detail, the first device 100 may automatically generate aresponse message including at least one of a current situation and afuture situation of the first user USER1 based on information regardingan application.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operation S2940 may beperformed by a phone application or a message application installed onthe first device 100. In other words, a phone application or a messageapplication installed on the first device 100 may include the callrejection function. Therefore, when a phone call or a message isreceived by the first device 100, a phone application or a messageapplication may be activated. In detail, if a point of time when a phonecall or a message is received corresponds to time information obtained,the phone application or the message application may automaticallygenerate a response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S2940 may beperformed by a dedicated call rejection application installed on thefirst device 100, and the call rejection application may be executed inconjunction with a phone application or a message application installedon the first device 100. Therefore, when a phone call or a message isreceived by the first device 100, the call rejection application may beactivated. In detail, if a point of time when a phone call or a messageis received corresponds to stored time information, the call rejectionapplication may automatically generate a response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S2940 may beperformed by a platform of the first device 100. Therefore, when a phonecall or a message is received by the first device 100, a platform mayactivate a call rejection function. In detail, if a point of time when aphone call or a message is received corresponds to stored timeinformation, the platform of the first device 100 may automaticallygenerate a response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S2940 may beperformed by an external server. Therefore, when a phone call or amessage is received by the first device 100, a server may activate acall rejection function. In detail, if a time point at which a phonecall or a message is received corresponds to stored time information, aserver may automatically generate a response message.

In an operation S2950, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. Here, the response message may be transmittedvia a SMS, a social network service (SNS), such as Facebook or Twitter,a chatting service, such as KakaoTalk or Line, or e-mail, etc.

In an operation S2960, the first device 100 provides a notification tothe first user USER1 that transmission of a response message iscompleted. Therefore, the first user USER1 may learn that a phone callor a message is received from the second device 200 and a responsemessage automatically generated in correspondence thereto is transmittedto the second device 200.

FIG. 30 is a table illustrating examples of information included in aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 30, a response message may include a name of a callingparty, a current situation, and an estimated time point to reply to anincoming call, in which information included in a response message mayvary based on types of applications. The name of a calling user maycorrespond to the name information 21 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, the currentsituation may correspond to the activity information 22 and the locationinformation 24 of FIGS. 8A and 8B, and the estimated point of time whenthe user will reply to an incoming call may correspond to the timeinformation 23 of FIGS. 8A and 8B. Therefore, any of the descriptionsgiven above with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B may also be applied here.

Hereinafter, configuration of a response message will be described withreference to FIGS. 4, 8A, 8B, and 30.

The name information 21 may be generated based on a name of the seconduser USER2 of the second device 200. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the name information 21 may be generated based on a namecorresponding to a number of the second device 200 stored in contactinformation stored in the first device 100. For example, if a namecorresponding to a number of the second device 200 stored in contactinformation stored in the first device 100 is “Chief Kim,” the nameinformation 21 may be generated as “Chief Kim.” According to anotherexemplary embodiment, the name information 21 may be generated based ona nickname of the second user USER2 based on a history of exchangingmessages between the first device 100 and the second device 200.According to another exemplary embodiment, if contact information storedin the first device 100 does not include a number of the second device200, the response messages 20 and 20′ may not include the nameinformation 21.

The activity information 22 may be generated based on a currentsituation of the first user USER1 determined based on informationregarding an application being executed on the first device 100. Here, acurrent situation of the first user USER1 may be automatically completedbased on a type of surrounding environment and a current activity.

The time information 23 may be generated based on a future situation ofthe first user USER1 estimated based on information regarding anapplication being executed on the first device 100. Here, a futuresituation of the first user USER1 may be automatically completed basedon an estimated time. In detail, the first device 100 may include anestimation module, and the estimation module may estimate a point oftime when the first user USER1 will be available to reply to an incomingcall.

FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams illustrating an example operation forgenerating a response message 20 c based on information provided by thescheduler application 25 c, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 31A, when a scheduler application 25 c is executed onthe first device 100, a current situation and a future situation of thefirst user USER1 may be determined based on information provided by thescheduler application 25 c. In detail, based on schedule information 27provided by the scheduler application 25 c, a current situation of thefirst user USER1 may be determined as being that the first user USER1 isin conference at a conference room. Furthermore, based on schedule timeinformation 26 c and current time information provided by the schedulerapplication 25 c, a future situation of the first user USER1 may bedetermined as being that the conference will end in 30 minutes.

Referring to FIG. 31B, the first device 100 may generate nameinformation 21 c as “Chief Kim” based on contact information, generateactivity information 22 c as “I am in conference now” based on theschedule information 27 provided by the scheduler application 25 c, andgenerate time information 23 c as “I will call you in 30 minutes” basedon the schedule time information 26 c provided by the schedulerapplication 25 c. In other words, the first device 100 may generatelocation information as “I am at the conference room” based on theschedule information 27 provided by the scheduler application 25 c.

FIGS. 32A and 32B are diagrams illustrating an example operation forgenerating a response message 20 d based on information provided by amovie ticket reservation application 25 d, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 32A, when a movie ticket reservation application 25 dis executed on the first device 100, a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1 may be determined based on informationprovided by the movie ticket reservation application 25 d. In detail,based on execution information provided by the movie ticket reservationapplication 25 d, a current situation of the first user USER1 may bedetermined as being that the first user USER1 is watching a movie at amovie theater. Furthermore, based on movie time information 26 d andcurrent time information provided by the movie ticket reservationapplication 25 d, a future situation of the first user USER1 may bedetermined as being that the movie will end in 1 hour.

Referring to FIG. 32B, the first device 100 may generate nameinformation 21 d as “Chief Kim” based on contact information, generatelocation information 24 d as “I am at a movie theater” based onreservation information provided by the movie ticket reservationapplication 25 d, and generate time information 23 d as “I will call youin 1 hour” based on the movie time information 26 d provided by themovie ticket reservation application 25 d.

Respective examples of the response messages 20 c and 20 d that may begenerated when the scheduler application 25 c and the movie ticketreservation application 25 d are executed on the first device 100 aredescribed above with reference to FIGS. 31A through 32B. Hereinafter,examples of response messages that may be generated while otherapplications are being executed on the first device 100 will bedescribed in detail.

For example, if a transportation reservation application is executed onthe first device 100, information indicating that the first user USER1is currently moving by a means of transportation may be obtained fromthe transportation reservation application. For example, if the firstuser USER1 is ‘currently moving by plane,’ the activity information 22may be generated as “I'm on a flight.” Furthermore, since informationregarding a time of arrival may be obtained from the transportationreservation application, the time information 23 may be generated basedon a remaining time until arrival.

As another example, if an alarm application is executed on the firstdevice 100, information indicating that the first user USER1 iscurrently sleeping, for example, may be obtained from the alarmapplication. If the first user USER1 is currently ‘sleeping,’ theactivity information 22 may be generated as “I am sleeping.”Furthermore, since information regarding an alarm time may be obtainedfrom the alarm application, the time information 23 may be generatedbased on a remaining time until the alarm time.

One or more exemplary embodiments for generating the activityinformation 22, the time information 23, and the location information 24based on information provided by applications executed on the firstdevice 100 are described above. However, exemplary embodiments are notlimited thereto. According to another exemplary embodiment, the firstdevice 100 may operate in conjunction with a wearable device the firstuser USER1 is wearing. In detail, the activity information 22, the timeinformation 23, and the location information 24 may be generated basedon information provided by an application executed on a wearable device.Detailed descriptions thereof will be given below with reference toFIGS. 41 through 51 and 57 through 60.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstand second devices 100 and 200 according to a method of providing aresponse message according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 33, the method of providing a response message is amodified embodiment of the method of providing a response message ofFIG. 29 and includes operations that may be chronologically performed bythe first and second devices 100 and 200. Therefore, even if omittedbelow, descriptions given above with respect to the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 29 may also be applied to the methodof providing a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S3300, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation S3310, the first device 100 obtains timeinformation from an application installed on the first device 100. In anoperation S3320, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or amessage to the first device 100. In an operation S3330, the first device100 receives the phone call or the message from the second device 200.

In an operation S3340, when the phone call or the message is receivedfrom the second device 200, the first device 100 provides UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. Forexample, the first device 100 may display a UI element corresponding toa phone call or a message on a display screen of the first device 100.For another example, the first device 100 may output a UI elementcorresponding to a phone call or a message via a speaker of the firstdevice 100.

In an operation S3350, the first device 100 receives a user input forselecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response message. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 may select a UI elementcorresponding to transmission of a response message from among UIelements displayed on the display screen of the first device 100, andthe first device 100 may receive a user input corresponding to theselection via a UI. According to another exemplary embodiment, the firstuser USER1 may select a UI element corresponding to reject/decline themessage from among UI elements displayed on the display screen of thefirst device 100, and the first device 100 may receive a user inputcorresponding to the selection via a UI.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a user input may be detected bythe first device 100 based on a gesture or a movement of a user.According to another exemplary embodiment, a user input may be receivedby the first device 100 based on a user's voice.

In an operation S3360, if a point of time when the phone call or themessage is received corresponds to time information obtained in theoperation S3310, the first device 100 automatically generates a responsemessage. In detail, the first device 100 may automatically generate aresponse message including at least one of a current situation and afuture situation of the first user USER1 based on information regardingan application.

In an operation S3370, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 34, an operation for providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an example of theoperation S320 of FIG. 3 and may include operations that may bechronologically performed by the first device 100 of FIG. 1.

In an operation S3400, a current situation of a user is determined basedon information provided by an application. For example, based onschedule information provided by a scheduler application, the firstdevice 100 may determine that the first user USER1 is currently inconference. For another example, based on exercise information providedby a fitness application, the first device 100 may determine that thefirst user USER1 is currently exercising. For another example, based ondestination information or current location information provided by anavigation application, the first device 100 may determine that thefirst user USER1 is currently driving.

In an operation S341.0, one from among a plurality of message forms isselected based on the determined current situation. Message forms mayalso be referred to as message modalities. In detail, the plurality ofmessage forms may include at least one of text and voice. If it isdetermined that the first user USER1 is currently in conference, thefirst device 100 may select a text message form. As another example, ifit is determined that the first user USER1 is currently exercising ordriving, it may be difficult to input or select a text message, and thusthe first device 100 may select a voice message form.

In an operation S3420, a response message is generated in the selectedmessage form. For example, the first device 100 may automatically ormanually generate information including a current situation or a futuresituation of the first user USER1 and may generate a text messageincluding the information. For another example, the first device 100 mayautomatically or manually generate information including a currentsituation or a future situation of the first user USER1 and may generatea voice message including the information. As described above, accordingto an exemplary embodiment, user convenience may be improved byselecting a form of a message to be transmitted based on a currentsituation of a user.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 35, the method of providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of themethod of providing a response message of FIG. 3. Therefore,descriptions given above with reference to FIG. 3 may also be applied toan exemplary embodiment, and thus repeated descriptions will be omitted.

In an operation S3500, a phone call or a message is received from acalling user. In an operation S3510, a response message including acurrent situation based on information regarding an application isprovided to the calling user. In an operation S3520, a message regardinga changed situation is provided to the calling user.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 35, in detail, in an operation S3520, based oninformation regarding an application, if a situation regarding the firstuser USER1 is changed, the first device 100 transmits a messageregarding a changed situation to the second user USER2. In detail, thefirst device 100 monitors termination of execution of an application,termination of playback of content provided by an application, ortermination of an activity input to an application. Based on a result ofthe monitoring, if it is determined that the first user USER1 becomesavailable for a phone call, the first device 100 may transmit a messageregarding the changed situation to the second user USER2.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if execution of an applicationbeing executed on the first device 100 during the operations S3500 andS3510 is terminated, it may be determined that a situation regarding thefirst user USER1 is changed, and a message regarding a changed situationmay be transmitted to the second user USER2.

For example, if a navigation application is being executed on the firstdevice 100 during the operations S3500 and S3510, a phone application, amessage application, or a call rejection application installed on thefirst device 100 or a platform of the first device 100 may continuouslymonitor execution of the navigation application after the operationS3510. When execution of the navigation application is terminated, itmay be determined that the first user USER1 is no longer driving, andthus, the first device 100 may transmit a message regarding a changedsituation (e.g., “I am now available for a phone call”) to the seconddevice 200.

As another example, if a fitness application is being executed on thefirst device 100 during the operations S3500 and S3510, a phoneapplication, a message application, or a call rejection applicationinstalled on the first device 100 or a platform of the first device 100may continuously monitor execution of the fitness application after theoperation S3510. When execution of the fitness application isterminated, it may be determined that the first user USER1 is no longerexercising, and thus the first device 100 may transmit a messageregarding a changed situation (e.g., “I finished exercising. I am nowavailable for a phone call”) to the second device 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, if content being provided by anapplication being executed on the first device 100 during the operationsS3500 and S3510 is terminated, it may be determined that a situationregarding the first user USER1 is changed and the first device 100 maytransmit a message regarding a changed situation to the second device200.

For example, if a movie player application is being executed on thefirst device 100 during the operations S3500 and S3510, a call rejectionapplication installed on the first device 100 or a platform of the firstdevice 100 may continuously monitor content being played back by themovie player application after the operation S3510. When the contentplayed back by the movie player application is terminated, it may bedetermined that the first user USER1 is no longer watching the content,and thus the first device 100 may transmit a message regarding a changedsituation (e.g., “I am now available for a phone call”) to the seconddevice 200.

According to another exemplary embodiment, time information input to anapplication previously executed on the first device 100 is monitored inthe operations S3500 and S3510 and, at an end time of an activitycorresponding to the time information, it may be determined that asituation regarding the first user USER1 is changed, and thus the firstdevice 100 may transmit a message regarding a changed situation to thesecond device 200.

For example, at a conference end time input to a scheduler applicationinstalled on the first device 100, it may be determined that the firstuser USER1 is no longer in the conference, and thus the first device 100may transmit a message regarding a changed situation (e.g., “Theconference is over. I am now available for a phone call.”) to the seconddevice 200.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing a responsemessage according to another exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 36, the method of providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of themethod of providing a response message of FIG. 3. Therefore,descriptions given above with reference to FIG. 3 may also be applied toan exemplary embodiment, and thus repeated descriptions will be omitted.

In an operation S3600, a phone call or a message is received from acalling user. In an operation S3610, a response message including acurrent situation based on information regarding an application isprovided to the calling user. In an operation S3620, a reminder messageis provided to a user.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation for providing areminder message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 37, an operation for providing a reminder messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an example of theoperation S3620 of FIG. 36, may be performed after the operation S3610,and may include operations that may be chronologically performed by thefirst device 100.

In an operation S3700, a future situation of a user is estimated basedon information regarding an application. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the application may be a navigation application or a mapapplication, and information regarding the application may be adestination input to the navigation application, a current location, adistance to the destination, an estimated driving time to thedestination, or a current traffic condition. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, the application may be a fitness application, andinformation regarding the application may be a start time of a currentexercise or an end time of the current exercise input to the fitnessapplication. According to another exemplary embodiment, the applicationmay be a scheduler application, and information regarding theapplication may be a start time of a current schedule or an end time ofthe current schedule input to the scheduler application. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the application may be a ticketreservation application, and information regarding the application maybe a start time of a concert or an end time of the concert input to theticket reservation application.

In an operation S3710, a reminder message is provided to a user at apoint of time when the user will be available to reply to an incomingcall. In detail, the first device 100 may display a reminder message ona display screen or provide a reminder message via a sound or vibrationat a point of time when the first user USER1 is available to reply to anincoming call. For example, if the first device 100 has transmitted aresponse message “I'm driving now. I will call you in 30 minutes” to thesecond device 200, the first device 100 may provide a reminder messageto the first user USER1 at a time point after 30 minutes from the timepoint of transmitting the response message.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a reminder message may include amissed call list. In detail, a missed call list may include incomingcall IDs corresponding to missed phone calls or missed messages to whicha user was unable to respond. According to the above embodiment, a usermay be notified of incoming call IDs corresponding to missed phone callsor missed messages at a point of time when the user is available toreply to an incoming call.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating another example operation forproviding a reminder message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 38, an operation for providing a reminder messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment may correspond to an example of theoperation S3620 of FIG. 36, may be performed after the operation S3610,and includes operations that may be chronologically performed by thefirst device 100.

In an operation S3800, a current situation of a user is determined basedon information regarding an application. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the application may be a navigation application or a mapapplication, and information regarding the application may be a point ofdeparture, a destination input to the navigation application, or acurrent location. According to another exemplary embodiment, theapplication may be a scheduler application, and information regardingthe application may be type of a current schedule or location of thecurrent schedule input to the scheduler application. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the application may be a fitnessapplication, and information regarding the application may be type of acurrent exercise or location of the current exercise input to thefitness application.

In an operation S3810, at least one of a plurality of reminder formsincluding at least one of text, voice, and vibration is selected basedon a determined current situation. In detail, the first device 100 maydetermine text, text and voice, voice and vibration, or text, voice, andvibration as the form(s) of a reminder.

In an operation S3820, a reminder message is provided to a user via theselected reminder form(s). For example, if the first user USER1 isdriving, the first device 100 may determine text and voice as reminderforms, and thus the first device 100 may provide a reminder message tothe first user USER1 via text and voice. As another example, if thefirst user USER1 is in conference, the first device 100 may determinetext and vibration as reminder forms, and thus the first device 100 mayprovide a reminder message to the first user USER1 via text andvibration.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling atransmission according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 39, a method of controlling a transmission accordingto an exemplary embodiment is a method of controlling a transmissionwhen a call request is rejected and includes below operations performedby a device. For example, a method of controlling a transmission mayinclude operations that may be chronologically performed by the seconddevice 200.

In an operation S3900, a phone call or a message is transmitted to areceiving user. Here, a phone call may be at least one of a phone callvia a mobile communication network, a voice over internet protocol(VoIP) call, or a voice over long-term evolution (LTE) (VoLTE) call.Here, a message may be at least one of a short message service (SMS), amultimedia message service (MMS), or a message provided by a chattingservice, such as KakaoTalk or Line.

In an operation S3910, a response message is received from the receivinguser. According to an exemplary embodiment, the response message mayinclude a current situation of the receiving user. Here, the “currentsituation” refers to a reason that the receiving user is unable torespond to an incoming call at a time point of reception of the incomingcall, the reason determined by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed andmay be a specific activity, a location, or a route of the receivinguser. Furthermore, the “future situation” may be a change of situationof the receiving user after termination of an incoming call estimated byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and may correspond to anestimated point of time when the receiving user will be available torespond to an incoming call.

In an operation S3920, a notification of a point of time when thereceiving user will be available for a phone call is provided based onthe received response message. According to an exemplary embodiment, adevice may obtain a point of time when the receiving user will beavailable for a phone call based on a future situation included in theresponse message and provide a notification of the obtained point oftime when the receiving user is available for a phone call to a callinguser.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstand second devices 100 and 200 according to the method of controlling atransmission of FIG. 39.

Referring to FIG. 40, the method of controlling a transmission accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that are chronologicallyperformed by the first and second devices 100 and 200. Descriptionsgiven above with respect to the first and second devices 100 and 200shown in FIG. 4 may also be applied here to a method of controlling atransmission.

In an operation S4000, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or amessage to the first device 100. In an operation S4010, the first device100 receives a phone call or a message from the second device 200.

In an operation S4020, the first device 100 generates a response messageindicating rejection with respect to the received phone call or thereceived message. Here, the response message may include a currentsituation or a future situation of the first user USER1. According to anexemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may automatically generate aresponse message based on information regarding an application that isbeing currently executed or previously executed. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may provide UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message and,when a user input for selecting to reject/decline the phone call or totransmit a response message with respect to a phone call or selecting totransmit a response message with respect to a message is received fromthe first user USER1, may automatically generate a response messagebased on information regarding an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed.

In an operation S4030, the first device 100 transmits the responsemessage to the second device 200. According to an exemplary embodiment,the first device 100 may automatically transmit the response message tothe second device 200 based on information regarding an application thatis being currently executed or previously executed. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may transmit the responsemessage to the second device 200 when a user input for selecting toreject/decline the phone call or to transmit a response message withrespect to a phone call or selecting to transmit a response message withrespect to a message is received from the first user USER1. According toanother exemplary embodiment, when a user input for selecting one fromamong a plurality of communication media is input from the first userUSER1, the first device 100 may transmit the response message to thesecond device 200 via the selected communication medium. The methods ofproviding response messages described above with reference to FIGS. 3through 38 may be applied to the operations S4020 and S4030 according toan exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S4040, the second device 200 provides a notification ofa point of time when the first user USER1 will be available for a phonecall to the second user USER2. In detail, the second device 200 mayobtain a point of time when the first user USER1 will be available for aphone call based on the response message received from the first device100 and provide a notification of the obtained point of time when thefirst user USER1 is available for a phone call to the second user USER2.According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may providea notification of a point of time when the first user USER1 will beavailable for a phone call to the second user USER2 at a point of timewhen a response message is received from the first device 100. Accordingto another exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may provide anotification of the obtained point of time when the first user USER1 isavailable for a phone call to the second user USER2 at the point of timewhen the first user USER1 is available for a phone call.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may estimatea point of time when the first user USER1 will be available for a phonecall based on a current situation included in a response message andprovide a notification of the estimated point of time when the firstuser USER1 will be available for a phone call to the second user USER2.For example, if the response message is “I am at a movie theater,” thesecond device 200 may estimate a point of time when the first user USER1will be available for a phone call based on an estimated playback timeof a corresponding movie and provide a notification of the estimatedpoint of time when the first user USER1 will be available for a phonecall to the second user USER2.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 mayestimate a point of time when the first user USER1 will be available fora phone call based on a future situation included in a response messageand provide a notification of the estimated point of time when the firstuser USER1 will be available for a phone call to the second user USER2.For example, if the response message is “I will call you in 30 minutes,”the second device 200 may obtain a point of time when the first userUSER1 will be available for a phone call and provide a notification ofthe estimated time point of time when the first user USER1 is availablefor a phone call to the second user USER2 at the obtained point of timewhen the first user USER1 will be available for a phone call, that is,when 30 minutes has elapsed from the time point of time when a phonecall or a message is transmitted.

In an operation S4050, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or amessage to the first device 100. According to an exemplary embodiment,the second device 200 may automatically transmit a phone call or amessage to the first device 100 at a point of time when the first userUSER1 will be available for a phone call obtained based on a responsemessage. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.According to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S4050 may bemanually performed by the second user USER2.

FIG. 41 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 b for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 41, the system 10 b may include the first device 100,the second device 200, and the third device 300. Here, the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus descriptions givenabove with reference to FIG. 1A may also be applied to an exemplaryembodiment. According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300may be a wearable device of the first user USER1 and may operate inconjunction with the first device 100.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may transmita phone call or a message to the first device 100, and the first device100 may notify reception of the phone call or the message to the thirddevice 300. The third device 300 may generate a response message andtransmit the response message to the second device 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may generatea response message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may generate aresponse message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the third device 300.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the first,second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 of FIG. 41 according to amethod of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 42, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that may bechronologically performed by the first, second, and third devices 100,200, and 300 of FIG. 41. Descriptions given above with respect to thefirst, second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 shown in FIG. 41 mayalso be applied to the method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S4200, the first device 100 sets up call rejectionfunction. Descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 7A through 7Fmay also be applied. In an operation S4210, the second device 200transmits a phone call or a message to the first device 100. In anoperation S4220, the first device 100 receives the phone call or themessage from the second device 200.

In an operation S4230, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the third device 300. Forexample, the first device 100 may provide a notification of reception tothe third device 300 via a wireless communication, such as Bluetooth orWi-Fi.

In an operation S4240, the third device 300 obtains informationregarding an application. In detail, the third device 300 may obtaininformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on the third device 300. Furthermore, the thirddevice 300 may obtain information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100.According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may provide anotification of reception together with information regarding anapplication. According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device300 may request information regarding an application to the first device100, and the first device 100 may provide the information regarding theapplication in response thereto.

In an operation S4250, the third device 300 automatically generates aresponse message. In detail, the third device 300 may automaticallygenerate a response message including at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1 based oninformation regarding an application.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operations S4240 and S4250 maybe performed by a dedicated call rejection application installed on thethird device 300. Therefore, when a notification of reception isprovided by the first device 100, a call rejection function of a callrejection application installed on the third device 300 may beactivated. In detail, an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on the third device 300 may provide information forgenerating a response message to the call rejection application via anAPI, and the call rejection application may generate a response messagebased on the information received from the application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operations S4240 andS4250 may be performed by a platform of the third device 300. Therefore,when a notification of reception is provided by the first device 100,the platform of the third device 300 may activate a call rejectionfunction. In detail, an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on the third device 300 may provide information forgenerating a response message to the platform via an API, and theplatform may generate a response message based on the informationreceived from the application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed.

In an operation S4260, the third device 300 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. Here, the response message may be transmittedvia at least one of a SMS, a social network service (SNS), such asFacebook or Twitter, a chatting service, such as KakaoTalk or Line, ore-mail.

In an operation S4270, the third device 300 provides a notification ofcompletion of transmitting the response message to the first user USER1.Therefore, the first user USER1 may learn that a phone call or a messageis received from the second device 200 and a response messageautomatically generated in correspondence thereto is transmitted to thesecond device 200.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst, second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 according to a methodof providing a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 43, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of the method ofproviding a response message of FIG. 42 and includes operations that maybe chronologically performed by the first, second, and third devices100, 200, and 300 of FIG. 41. Descriptions given above with respect tothe first, second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 shown in FIG. 41may also be applied to the method of providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S4300, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation S4310, the second device 200 transmits a phonecall or a message to the first device 100. In an operation S4320, thefirst device 100 receives the phone call or the message from the seconddevice 200. In an operation S4330, the first device 100 provides anotification of reception of the phone call or the message to the thirddevice 300.

In an operation S4340, the third device 300 provides UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. Forexample, when a notification of reception is received from the firstdevice 100, the third device 300 may display UI elements correspondingto a phone call or a message on a display screen of the third device300. As another example, when a notification of reception is receivedfrom the first device 100, the third device 300 may output UI elementscorresponding to an incoming call via a speaker of the third device 300.

Here, the UI element may display options with respect to the receivedincoming call including allow, reject, or transmit a response messagewith respect to a received phone call. Furthermore, the UI element maydisplay options with respect to the received incoming call includingallow, reject, or transmit a response message with respect to a receivedmessage.

In an operation S4350, the third device 300 receives a user input forselecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response message withrespect to a phone call or message. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the first user USER1 may select a UI element correspondingto transmission of a response message from among UI elements displayedon the display screen of the third device 300, and the third device 300may receive a user input corresponding to the selection via a UI.According to another exemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 mayselect a UI element corresponding to rejection/declination from among UIelements displayed on the display screen of the third device 300, andthe third device 300 may receive a user input corresponding to theselection via a UI.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a user input may be detected bythe third device 300 based on a gesture or a movement of a user.According to another exemplary embodiment, a user input may be receivedby the third device 300 based on a user's voice.

In an operation S4360, the third device 300 obtains informationregarding an application. In detail, the third device 300 may obtaininformation regarding application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on the third device 300 or the first device 100.

In an operation S4370, the third device 300 generates a response messagebased on information regarding an application obtained by the thirddevice 300. In detail, the third device 300 may automatically generate aresponse message including at least one of a current situation and afuture situation of the first user USER1 based on information regardingan application.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may generatea response message list including a plurality of response messagecandidates and display the response message list on the display screenof the third device 300. Here, by receiving a user input based onselection of the first user USER1, the third device 300 may provide aselected response message. In other words, a plurality of responsemessage candidates are automatically generated by the third device 300,and one from among the plurality of response message candidates may bemanually selected by the first user USER1.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 maygenerate a plurality of response message candidates, select one fromamong the generated response message candidates based on a history oftransmitting a response message, and provide a selected responsemessage. In other words, a plurality of response message candidates maybe automatically generated by the third device 300, and one from amongthe plurality of response message candidates may be automaticallyselected by the third device 300.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 maygenerate a single response message based on a history of transmitting aresponse message and provide the generated response message. In otherwords, a response message may be automatically generated by the thirddevice 300.

In an operation S4380, the third device 300 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. Here, the response message may be transmittedvia at least one of a SMS, a social network service (SNS), such asFacebook or Twitter, a chatting service, such as KakaoTalk or Line, ore-mail.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst, second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 according to a methodof providing a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 44, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of the method ofproviding a response message of FIG. 43 and includes operations that maybe chronologically performed by the first, second, and third devices100, 200, and 300. Descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 41through 43 may also be applied to the method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S4400, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation S4410, the second device 200 transmits a phonecall or a message to the first device 100. In an operation S4420, thefirst device 100 receives the phone call or the message from the seconddevice 200. In an operation S4430, the first device 100 provides anotification of reception of the phone call or the message to the thirddevice 300. In an operation S4440, the third device 300 provides UIelements corresponding to the received phone call or the receivedmessage. In an operation S4450, the third device 300 receives a userinput for selecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response messagewith respect to a phone call or selecting to transmit a response messagewith respect to a message.

In an operation S4460, the third device 300 requests informationregarding an application to the first device 100. In an operation S4470,the first device 100 provides information regarding an application thatis being currently executed or previously executed to the third device300. Here, the information regarding an application may be informationregarding an application that is being currently executed or previouslyexecuted on the first device 100.

In an operation S4480, the third device 300 generates a response messagebased on the information regarding an application provided by the firstdevice 100. In detail, the third device 300 may generate a responsemessage, which is based on the information regarding an applicationprovided by the first device 100 and includes at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1.

In an operation S4490, the third device 300 transmits the responsemessage to the second device 200.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst, second and third devices 100, 200, and 300 according to a methodof providing a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 45, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of the method ofproviding a response message of FIG. 44 and includes operations that maybe chronologically performed by the first, second, and third devices100, 200, and 300 of FIG. 41. Descriptions given above with reference toFIGS. 41 through 44 may also be applied to the method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S4500, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation S4510, the second device 200 transmits a phonecall or a message to the first device 100. In an operation S4520, thefirst device 100 receives the phone call or the message from the seconddevice 200.

In an operation S4530, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message and information regarding anapplication to the third device 300. Here, the information regarding anapplication may be information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or was previously executed on the first device 100.

In an operation S4540, the third device 300 provides UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. In anoperation S4550, the third device 300 receives a user input forselecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response message withrespect to a phone call or selecting to transmit a response message withrespect to a message.

In an operation S4560, the third device 300 generates a response messagebased on the information regarding an application provided by the firstdevice 100. In detail, the third device 300 may generate a responsemessage, which is based on the information regarding an applicationprovided by the first device 100 and includes at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1.

In an operation S4570, the third device 300 transmits the responsemessage to the second device 200.

FIG. 46 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 c for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 46, the system 10 c may include the first device 100,the second device 200, and the third device 300. Here, the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus descriptionsthereof given above with reference to FIG. 1A may also be applied.According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may be awearable device of the first user USER1 and may operate in conjunctionwith the first device 100.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may transmita phone call or a message to the first device 100, and the first device100 may notify reception of a phone call or a message to the thirddevice 300. The third device 300 may transmit a response message to thefirst device 100, and the first device 100 may transmit the responsemessage received from the third device 300 to the second device 200.

Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment, an operation forgenerating a response message may be performed by the third device 300,and the operation for generating a response message at the third device300 described above with reference to FIGS. 42 through 45 may beapplied. However, according to an exemplary embodiment, unlike in FIGS.42 through 45, the third device 300 may not transmit a response messagedirectly to the second device 200, and the third device 300 may transmita response message to the second device 200 via the first device 100.

FIG. 47 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 d for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 47, the system 10 d may include the first device 100,the second device 200, and the third device 300. Here, the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus descriptionsthereof given above with reference to FIG. 1A may also be applied.According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may be awearable device of the first user USER1 and may operate in conjunctionwith the first device 100.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may transmita phone call or a message to the first device 100, and the first device100 may notify reception of a phone call or a message to the thirddevice 300. The third device 300 may transmit a code corresponding to aresponse message, data corresponding to a response message, orinformation corresponding to a response message to the first device 100.The first device 100 may generate a response message based on the codes,the data, or the information received from the third device 300 andtransmit the generated response message to the second device 200. Asdescribed above, an operation for generating information included in aresponse message may be performed at the third device 300, and theoperation for generating a response message at the third device 300described above with reference to FIGS. 42 through 45 may be applied.However, according to an exemplary embodiment, unlike in FIGS. 42through 45, the third device 300 may not directly generate a responsemessage and may generate a code corresponding to a response message,data corresponding to a response message, or information correspondingto a response message. Next, the third device 300 may transmit thegenerated codes, the generated data, or the generated information to thefirst device 100. The first device 100 may generate a response messagebased on the codes, the data, or the information received from the thirddevice 300 and transmit the generated response message to the seconddevice 200.

FIG. 48 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 e for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 48, the system 10 e may include the first device 100,the second device 200, and the third device 300. Here, the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus descriptionsthereof given above with reference to FIG. 1A may also be applied.According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may be awearable device of the first user USER1 and may operate in conjunctionwith the first device 100.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may transmita phone call or a message to the first device 100, and the first device100 may notify reception of a phone call or a message to the thirddevice 300. The third device 300 may instruct the first device 100 togenerate a response message. The first device 100 may generate aresponse message and transmit the generated response message to thesecond device 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generate aresponse message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the third device 300.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the first,second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 of FIG. 48 according to amethod of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 49, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that may bechronologically performed by the first, second, and third devices 100,200, and 300 of FIG. 48. Therefore, even if omitted below, descriptionsgiven above with respect to the first, second, and third devices 100,200, and 300 shown in FIG. 48 may also be applied to the method ofproviding a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S4900, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. Any of the descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 7Athrough 7F may also be applied to the operation for setting up a callrejection function according to an exemplary embodiment. In an operationS4910, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or a message to thefirst device 100. In an operation S4920, the first device 100 receives aphone call or a message from the second device 200.

In an operation S4930, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the third device 300. Forexample, the first device 100 may provide a notification of reception tothe third device 300 via a wireless communication, such as Bluetooth orWi-Fi.

In an operation S4940, the third device 300 provides UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. Forexample, when a notification of reception is received from the firstdevice 100, the third device 300 may display UI elements correspondingto a phone call or a message on a display screen of the third device300. As another example, when a notification of reception is receivedfrom the first device 100, the third device 300 may output UI elementscorresponding to an incoming call via a speaker of the third device 300.

In an operation S4950, the third device 300 receives a user input forselecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response message withrespect to a phone call or selecting to transmit a response message withrespect to a message. According to an exemplary embodiment, the firstuser USER1 may select a UI element corresponding to transmission of aresponse message from among UI elements displayed on the display screenof the third device 300, and the third device 300 may receive a userinput corresponding to the selection via a UI. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 may select a UI elementcorresponding to rejection/declination from among UI elements displayedon the display screen of the third device 300, and the third device 300may receive a user input corresponding to the selection via a UI.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a user input may be detected bythe third device 300 based on a gesture or a movement of a user.According to another exemplary embodiment, a user input may be receivedby the third device 300 based on a user's voice.

In an operation S4960, the third device 300 may instruct the firstdevice 100 to generate a response message. In an operation S4965, thethird device 300 may provide information regarding an application forgenerating a response message to the first device 100. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the operation S4965 may be omitted.

In an operation S4970, the first device 100 may generate a responsemessage including at least one of a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1, based on information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe first device 100. In detail, a response message may be generatedbased in information regarding an application being executed during theoperations S4920 through S4965 or information regarding an applicationpreviously executed before the operations S4920 through S4965.

Furthermore, the first device 100 may generate a response messageincluding at least one of a current situation and a future situationbased on information regarding an application provided by the thirddevice 300. In detail, a response message may be generated based ininformation regarding an application being executed on the third device300 during the operations S4920 through S4965 or information regardingan application previously executed on the third device 300 before theoperations S4920 through S4965.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message list including a plurality of response messagecandidates, select at least one from among the generated responsemessage candidates based on a history of transmitting a responsemessage, and provide the selected response message. In other words, aplurality of response message candidates are automatically generated bythe first device 100, and at least one from among the plurality ofresponse message candidates may be automatically selected by the firstdevice 100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a single response message based on a history of transmitting aresponse message and provide the generated response message. In otherwords, a response message may be automatically generated by the firstdevice 100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a plurality of response message candidates and may provide thegenerated response message candidates to the third device 300. Theresponse message candidates provided to the third device 300 may bedisplayed on the display screen of the third device 300. Next, a userinput based on a selection of the first user USER1 is received, and thusthe third device 300 may transmit a selected response message to thefirst device 100. In other words, a plurality of response messagecandidates are automatically generated by the first device 100, and onefrom among the plurality of response message candidates may be manuallyselected by the first user USER1 via the third device 300.

In an operation S4980, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. In an operation S4990, the first device 100notifies the third device 300 completion of a message transmission.

FIG. 50 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 f for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 50, the system 10 f may include the first device 100,the second device 200, and the third device 300. Here, the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus descriptionsthereof given above with reference to FIG. 1A may also be applied.According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may be awearable device of the first user USER1 and may operate in conjunctionwith the first device 100.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may transmita phone call or a message to the first device 100, and the first device100 may notify reception of reject call message providing system to thethird device 300. Next, the first device 100 may generate a responsemessage and transmit the response message to the second device 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generate aresponse message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the third device 300.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the first,second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 of FIG. 50 according to amethod of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 51, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that are chronologicallyperformed by the first, second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 ofFIG. 50. Therefore, even if omitted below, descriptions given above withrespect to the first, second, and third devices 100, 200, and 300 shownin FIG. 50 may also be applied to the method of providing a responsemessage according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S5100, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. Any of the descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 7Athrough 7F may also be applied to the operation for setting up a callrejection function according to an exemplary embodiment. In an operationS5110, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or a message to thefirst device 100. In an operation S5120, the first device 100 receives aphone call or a message from the second device 200.

In an operation S5130, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the third device 300. Forexample, the first device 100 may provide a notification of reception tothe third device 300 via a wireless communication, such as Bluetooth orWi-Fi.

In an operation S5140, the first device 100 automatically generates aresponse message. In detail, the first device 100 may generate aresponse message including at least one of a current situation and afuture situation of the first user USER1 based on information providedby an application that is executed in the operation S5120 or previouslyexecuted on the first device 100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 mayrequest information regarding an application from the third device 300,and the third device 300 may provide the information regarding anapplication to the first device 100 in response thereto. Here, the firstdevice 100 may generate a response message including at least one of acurrent situation and a future situation of the first user USER1 basedon the information regarding an application provided by the third device300. In detail, the first device 100 may generate a response messagebased on information regarding an application that is executed on thethird device 300 in the operation 5120 or executed before the operationS5120.

In an operation S5150, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. In an operation S5160, the first device 100notifies completion of transmission of the response message to the thirddevice 300.

FIG. 52 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 h for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 52, the system 10 h may include the first device 100,the second device 200, and a fourth device 400. Here, the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus descriptionsthereof given above may also be applied. According to an exemplaryembodiment, the fourth device 400 may be an electronic device which iscapable of communicating with the first device 100 and is located nearthe first user USER1. For example, the fourth device 400 may be a smartTV on which an application may be executed. As another example, thefourth device 400 may be a navigation device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may transmita phone call or a message to the first device 100, and the first device100 may notify reception of the phone call or the message to the fourthdevice 400. Next, the fourth device 400 may provide informationregarding an application to the first device 100, and the first device100 may generate a response message based on the received informationregarding an application and transmit the response message to the seconddevice 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generatea response message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may generate aresponse message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the fourth device 400.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the first,second and fourth devices 100, 200, and 400 of FIG. 52 according to amethod of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 53, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that are chronologicallyperformed by the first, second, and fourth devices 100, 200, and 400 ofFIG. 52. Therefore, descriptions given above with respect to the first,second and fourth devices 100, 200, and 400 shown in FIG. 52 may also beapplied to the method of providing a response message according to anexemplary embodiment.

In an operation S5300, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. Any of the descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 7Athrough 7F may also be applied to the operation for setting up a callrejection function according to an exemplary embodiment. In an operationS5310, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or a message to thefirst device 100. In an operation S5320, the first device 100 receives aphone call or a message from the second device 200.

In an operation S5330, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the fourth device 400. Forexample, the first device 100 may provide a notification of reception tothe fourth device 400 via a wireless communication, such as Bluetooth orWi-Fi.

In an operation S5340, the fourth device 400 provides informationregarding an application to the first device 100. For example, if thefourth device 400 is a smart TV, the fourth device 400 may provideinformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on the smart TV to the first device 100. Forexample, the first user USER1 may execute a fitness application on thesmart TV and exercise according to the fitness application. According toanother exemplary embodiment, if the fourth device 400 is a navigationdevice, the fourth device 400 may provide information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe navigation device to the first device 100. For example, the fourthdevice 400 may provide information regarding a point of time when thefirst user USER1 will be available for responding currently driving andan estimated driving time to a destination to the first device 100.

In an operation S5350, the first device 100 automatically generates aresponse message. In detail, the first device 100 may generate aresponse message including at least one of a current situation and afuture situation of the first user USER1 based on information providedby an application that is executed in the operation S5320 or previouslyexecuted on the first device 100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 mayautomatically generate a response message including at least one of acurrent situation and a future situation of the first user USER1 basedon information regarding an application provided by the fourth device400. In detail, the first device 100 may generate a response messagebased on information regarding an application that is executed on thefourth device 400 in operation S5320 or executed before operation S5320.

In an operation S5360, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. In an operation S5370, the first device 100notifies completion of transmission of the response message to the firstuser USER1.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst, second and fourth devices 100, 200, and 400 of FIG. 52 accordingto a method of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 54, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of the method ofproviding a response message of FIG. 53 and includes operations that maybe chronologically performed by the first, second and fourth devices100, 200, and 400 of FIG. 52. Therefore, descriptions given above withreference to FIGS. 52 and 53 may also be applied to the method ofproviding a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S5400, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation S5410, the second device 200 transmits a phonecall or a message to the first device 100. In an operation S5420, thefirst device 100 receives the phone call or the message from the seconddevice 200. In an operation S5430, the first device 100 provides anotification of reception of the phone call or the message andinformation regarding an application to the fourth device 400.

In an operation S5440, the first device 100 provides UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. In anoperation S5450, the first device 100 receives a user input forselecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response message withrespect to a phone call or selecting to transmit a response message withrespect to a message.

In an operation S5460, the first device 100 requests informationregarding an application from the fourth device 400. In an operationS5465 the fourth device 400 provides information regarding anapplication to the first device 100. According to an exemplaryembodiment, if the fourth device 400 is a smart TV, the fourth device400 may provide information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the smart TV to the firstdevice 100. For example, the first user USER1 may execute a fitnessapplication on the smart TV and exercise according to the fitnessapplication. According to another exemplary embodiment, if the fourthdevice 400 is a navigation device, the fourth device 400 may provideinformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on the navigation device to the first device 100.For example, the fourth device 400 may provide information regarding apoint of time when the first user USER1 will be available to respond toan incoming call based on a current situation of the first user USER1who is currently driving and an estimated driving time to a destinationto the first device 100.

In an operation S5470, the first device 100 generates a responsemessage. In detail, the first device 100 may generate a response messageincluding at least one of a current situation and a future situation ofthe first user USER1 based on information provided by an applicationthat is executed in the operations S5420 through S5466 or previouslyexecuted on the first device 100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message including at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1 based oninformation regarding an application provided by the fourth device 400.In detail, the first device 100 may generate a response message based oninformation regarding an application that is executed on the fourthdevice 400 in the operations S5420 through S5465 or executed before theoperations S5320 through S5465.

In an operation S5480, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst, second and fourth devices 100, 200, and 400 of FIG. 52 accordingto a method of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 55, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of the method ofproviding a response message of FIG. 54 and includes operations that maybe chronologically performed by the first, second and fourth devices100, 200, and 400 of FIG. 52. Therefore, descriptions given above withreference to FIGS. 52 through 54 may also be applied to the method ofproviding a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S5500, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation S5510, the second device 200 transmits a phonecall or a message to the first device 100. In an operation S5520, thefirst device 100 receives the phone call or the message from the seconddevice 200. In an operation S5530, the first device 100 provides anotification of reception of the phone call or the message andinformation regarding an application to the fourth device 400.

In an operation S5540, the fourth device 400 provides UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. In anoperation S5550, the fourth device 400 receives a user input forselecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response message withrespect to a phone call or selecting to transmit a response message withrespect to a message. According to an exemplary embodiment, if thefourth device 400 is a smart TV, UI elements may be provided on adisplay screen of the fourth device 400, and the first user USER1 mayprovide a user input via a remote controller, for example.

In an operation S5560, the fourth device 400 provides informationregarding an application to the first device 100. According to anexemplary embodiment, if the fourth device 400 is a smart TV, the fourthdevice 400 may provide information regarding application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the smart TV to the firstdevice 100. For example, the first user USER1 may execute a fitnessapplication on the smart TV and exercise according to the fitnessapplication. According to another exemplary embodiment, if the fourthdevice 400 is a navigation device, the fourth device 400 may provideinformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on the navigation device to the first device 100.For example, the fourth device 400 may provide information regarding apoint of time when the first user USER1 will be available for respondingto an incoming call based on a current situation of the first user USER1who is currently driving and an estimated driving time to a destinationto the first device 100.

In an operation S5570, the first device 100 generates a responsemessage. In detail, the first device 100 may generate a response messageincluding at least one of a current situation and a future situation ofthe first user USER1 based on information provided by an applicationthat is executed in the operations S5520 through S5560 or previouslyexecuted on the first device 100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 maygenerate a response message including at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1 based oninformation regarding an application provided by the fourth device 400.In detail, the first device 100 may generate a response message based oninformation regarding an application that is executed on the fourthdevice 400 in the operations S5520 through S5565 or executed before theoperations S5320 through S5565.

In an operation S5580, the first device 100 transmits a response messageto the second device 200.

FIG. 56 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 i for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 56, the system 10 i may include the first device 100,the second device 200, and a fourth device 400. Here, the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and descriptions thereofgiven above may also be applied. According to an exemplary embodiment,the fourth device 400 may be an electronic device which is capable ofcommunicating with the first device 100 and is located near the firstuser USER1. For example, the fourth device 400 may be a smart TV onwhich an arbitrary application may be executed. For another example, thefourth device 400 may be a navigation device.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may transmita phone call or a message to the first device 100, and the first device100 may request information regarding an application to the fourthdevice 400. In response thereto, the fourth device 400 may provideinformation regarding an application to the first device 100, and thefirst device 100 may generate a response message based on the receivedinformation regarding an application and transmit the response messageto the second device 200.

As described above, according to an exemplary embodiment, the firstdevice 100 may not provide a notification of reception to the fourthdevice 400. Therefore, the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 51 through 53may be embodied without operations for notifying about reception of aphone call or a message.

FIG. 57 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 j for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 57, the system 10 j may include the first throughfourth devices 100, 200, 300, and 400. Here, the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 may be substantially similar to the first and seconddevices 100 and 200 shown in FIG. 1A, and thus descriptions thereofgiven above with reference to FIG. 1A may also be applied to anexemplary embodiment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may be awearable device of the first user USER1 and may operate in conjunctionwith the first device 100. Here, the third device 300 may besubstantially similar to the third device 300 shown in FIGS. 41 through51, and thus descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 41 through51 may also be applied to an exemplary embodiment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fourth device 400 may be anelectronic device which is capable of communicating with the firstdevice 100 and is located near the first user USER1. For example, thefourth device 400 may be a smart TV on which an arbitrary applicationmay be executed. As another example, the fourth device 400 may be anavigation device. Here, the fourth device 400 may be substantiallysimilar to the fourth device 400 shown in FIGS. 52 through 56, and thusdescriptions given above with reference to 52 through 56 may also beapplied to an exemplary embodiment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the second device 200 may transmita phone call or a message to the first device 100, and the first device100 may notify reception of a phone call or a message to the third andfourth devices 300 and 400. Next, the fourth device 400 may provideinformation regarding an application to the third device 300, and thethird device 300 may generate a response message based on the receivedinformation regarding an application and transmit the response messageto the second device 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may generatea response message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the third device 300. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may generate aresponse message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the fourth device 400. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may generate aresponse message by using an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart illustrating examples of operations of the firstthrough fourth devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 of FIG. 57 according to amethod of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 58, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that may bechronologically performed by the first through fourth devices 100, 200,300, and 400 of FIG. 57. Therefore, descriptions given above withreference to FIG. 57 may also be applied to the method of providing aresponse message according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S5800, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. Any of the descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 7Athrough 7F may also be applied to the operation for setting up a callrejection function according to an exemplary embodiment. In an operationS5810, the second device 200 transmits a phone call or a message to thefirst device 100. In an operation S5820, the first device 100 receives aphone call or a message from the second device 200.

In an operation S5830, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the third device 300. Inan operation S5835, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the fourth device 400. Forexample, the first device 100 may provide a notification of reception tothe third and fourth devices 300 and 400 via a wireless communication,such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. However, according to another exemplaryembodiment, the operation S5635 might not be included, and thus thefirst device 100 might not provide a notification of reception to thefourth device 400.

In an operation S5840, the fourth device 400 provides informationregarding an application to the third device 300. According to anexemplary embodiment, if the fourth device 400 is a smart TV, the fourthdevice 400 may provide information regarding application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the smart TV to the firstdevice 100. For example, the first user USER1 may execute a fitnessapplication on the smart TV and exercise according to the fitnessapplication. According to another exemplary embodiment, if the fourthdevice 400 is a navigation device, the fourth device 400 may provideinformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on the navigation device to the third device 300.For example, the fourth device 400 may provide information regarding apoint of time when the first user USER1 will be available for respondingto an incoming call based on a current situation of the first user USER1who is currently driving and an estimated driving time to a destinationto the third device 300.

In an operation S5850, the third device 300 automatically generates aresponse message. In detail, the third device 300 may generate aresponse message including at least one of a current situation and afuture situation of the first user USER1 based on information providedby an application that is executed in the operation S5820 or previouslyexecuted on the third device 300.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 mayautomatically generate a response message including at least one of acurrent situation and a future situation of the first user USER1 basedon information regarding an application provided by the fourth device400. In detail, the third device 300 may generate a response messagebased on information regarding an application that is executed on thefourth device 400 in the operation S5820 or executed before theoperation S5820.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 mayrequest information regarding an application to the first device 100,and the first device 100 may provide the information regarding anapplication to the third device 300 in response thereto. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may provide anotification of reception together with information regarding anapplication. Therefore, the third device 300 may generate a responsemessage including at least one of a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1 based on the information provided byan application provided by the first device 100. In detail, the thirddevice 300 may generate a response message based on informationregarding an application that is executed on the first device 100 in theoperation S5820 or before the operation S5820.

In an operation S5860, the third device 300 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. However, exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto. According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300may transmit a response message to the first device 100, and the firstdevice 100 may transmit the response message received from the thirddevice 300 to the second device 200. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the third device 300 may transmit information for generatinga response message to the first device 100. The first device 100 maygenerate a response message based on the information received from thethird device 300 and transmit the generated response message to thesecond device 200.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst through fourth devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 of FIG. 57 accordingto a method of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 59, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment includes operations that are chronologicallyperformed by the first through fourth devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 ofFIG. 57. Therefore, descriptions given above with reference to FIGS. 57and 58 may also be applied to the method of providing a response messageaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S5900, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation S5910, the second device 200 transmits a phonecall or a message to the first device 100. In an operation S5920, thefirst device 100 receives a phone call or a message from the seconddevice 200.

In an operation S5930, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the third device 300. Inan operation S5935, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the fourth device 400.However, according to another exemplary embodiment, the operation S5935might not be included, and thus the first device 100 might not provide anotification of reception to the fourth device 400.

In an operation S5940, the third device 300 provides UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. In anoperation S5950, the third device 300 receives a user input forselecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response message withrespect to a phone call or selecting to transmit a response message withrespect to a message. In an operation S5960, the fourth device 400provides information regarding an application to the third device 300.

In an operation S5970, the third device 300 generates a responsemessage. In detail, the third device 300 may generate a response messageincluding at least one of a current situation and a future situation ofthe first user USER1 based on information provided by an applicationthat is executed in the operations S5920 through S5960 or previouslyexecuted on the third device 300.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 maygenerate a response message including at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1 based oninformation regarding an application provided by the fourth device 400.In detail, the third device 300 may generate a response message based oninformation regarding an application that is executed on the fourthdevice 400 in the operations S5920 through S5965 or executed before theoperations S5920 through S5965.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 mayrequest information regarding an application from the first device 100,and the first device 100 may provide the information regarding anapplication to the third device 300 in response thereto. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may provide anotification of reception together with information regarding anapplication. Therefore, the third device 300 may generate a responsemessage including at least one of a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1 based on the information provided byan application provided by the first device 100. In detail, the thirddevice 300 may generate a response message based on informationregarding an application that is executed on the first device 100 in theoperations S5920 through S5960 or before the operations S5920 throughS5960.

In an operation S5980, the third device 300 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. However, exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto. According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300may transmit a response message to the first device 100, and the firstdevice 100 may transmit the response message received from the thirddevice 300 to the second device 200. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the third device 300 may transmit information for generatinga response message to the first device 100. The first device 100 maygenerate a response message based on the information received from thethird device 300 and transmit the generated response message to thesecond device 200.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart illustrating other examples of operations of thefirst through fourth devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 of FIG. 57 accordingto a method of providing a response message according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 60, a method of providing a response message accordingto an exemplary embodiment is a modified embodiment of the method ofproviding a response message of FIG. 59 and includes operations that maybe chronologically performed by the first through fourth devices 100,200, 300, and 400 of FIG. 57. Therefore, descriptions given above withreference to FIGS. 57 through 59 may also be applied to the method ofproviding a response message according to an exemplary embodiment.

In an operation S6000, the first device 100 sets up a call rejectionfunction. In an operation S6010, the second device 200 transmits a phonecall or a message to the first device 100. In an operation S6020, thefirst device 100 receives a phone call or a message from the seconddevice 200.

In an operation S6030, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the third device 300. Inan operation S6035, the first device 100 provides a notification ofreception of the phone call or the message to the fourth device 400.

In an operation S6040, the fourth device 400 provides UI elementscorresponding to the received phone call or the received message. In anoperation S6050, the fourth device 400 receives a user input forselecting to reject/decline or to transmit a response message withrespect to a phone call or selecting to transmit a response message withrespect to a message. In an operation S6060, the fourth device 400provides information regarding an application to the third device 300.

In an operation S6070, the third device 300 generates a responsemessage. In detail, the third device 300 may generate a response messageincluding at least one of a current situation and a future situation ofthe first user USER1 based on information provided by an applicationthat is executed in the operations S6020 through S6060 or previouslyexecuted on the third device 300.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 maygenerate a response message including at least one of a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1 based on theinformation provided by an application provided by the fourth device400. In detail, the third device 300 may generate a response messagebased on information regarding an application that is executed on thefourth device 400 in the operations S6020 through S6060 or before theoperations S6020 through S6060.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300 mayrequest information regarding an application from the first device 100,and the first device 100 may provide the information regarding anapplication to the third device 300 in response thereto. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 may provide anotification of reception together with information regarding anapplication. Therefore, the third device 300 may generate a responsemessage including at least one of a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1 based on the information provided byan application provided by the first device 100. In detail, the thirddevice 300 may generate a response message based on informationregarding an application that is executed on the first device 100 in theoperations S6020 through S6060 or before the operations S6020 throughS6060.

In an operation S6080, the third device 300 transmits a response messageto the second device 200. However, exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto. According to another exemplary embodiment, the third device 300may transmit a response message to the first device 100, and the firstdevice 100 may transmit the response message received from the thirddevice 300 to the second device 200. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the third device 300 may transmit information for generatinga response message to the first device 100. The first device 100 maygenerate a response message based on the information received from thethird device 300 and transmit the generated response message to thesecond device 200.

FIG. 61 is a block diagram illustrating a system 10 k for performing aresponse message providing function according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 61, the first and second devices 100 and 200 may beelectronic devices supporting voice call function. Here, the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 are substantially similar to the first andsecond devices 100 and 200 shown in FIGS. 1A through 2B. Therefore,descriptions of the first and second devices 100 and 200 given above mayalso be applied to an exemplary embodiment.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first user USER1 of the firstdevice 100 may not be able to respond to an incoming call from thesecond device 200. For example, the first user USER1 may be in asituation in which it is difficult to respond to the incoming call orthe first user USER1 may not want to respond to the incoming call fromthe second user USER2. According to an exemplary embodiment, a server500 may generate a response message. At least one of the operations forgenerating a response message according to one or more exemplaryembodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through 60 may beperformed by the server 500.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when a phone call or a message isreceived by the first device 100, the server 500 may be activated andperform a call rejection function. In detail, an application beingexecuted on the first device 100 may provide information for generatinga response message to the server 500 via an API, and the server 500 maygenerate a response message based on information received from anapplication being executed on the first device 100.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when time information isinput to an application installed on the first device 100, the server500 may be activated and perform a call rejection function. In detail,an application installed on the first device 100 may provide timeinformation for generating a response message to the server 500 via anAPI, and the server 500 may store the received time information. Next,when a phone call or a message is received by the first device 100, theserver 500 may be activated and perform a call rejection function. Indetail, if a point of time when the phone call or the message isreceived corresponds to time information stored in the server 500, theserver 500 may automatically generate a response message.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when a phone call or a message isreceived by the first device 100, the server 500 may automaticallygenerate a response message RM by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed onthe first device 100 and automatically transmit the generated responsemessage RM to the second device 200. Next, to notify the first userUSER1 that the response message RM is transmitted, the server 500 mayprovide a notification that transmission of the response message RM iscompleted on the display screen of the first device 100 in the form of amessage, for example. Here, the response message RM may includeinformation regarding a current situation, a future situation, or both acurrent situation and a future situation of the first user USER1, or itmay be a simple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when a phone call or amessage is received by the first device 100, the server 500 may providea user interface (UI) element corresponding to the incoming call on thedisplay screen of the first device 100. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received incoming call including allow,reject, or transmit a response message. Next, if the first user USER1selects to reject the incoming call or to transmit a response message,the server 500 may automatically generate a response message RM byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the first device 100 andautomatically transmit the generated response message RM to the seconddevice 200. Here, the response message RM may include informationregarding a current situation, a future situation, or both a currentsituation and a future situation of the first user USER1, or it may be asimple response message.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when a phone call or amessage is received by the first device 100, the server 500 may providea user interface (UI) element corresponding to the incoming call on thedisplay screen of the first device 100. Here, the UI element may displayoptions with respect to the received incoming call including allow,reject, or transmit a response message. Next, if the first user USER1selects to reject the incoming call or to transmit a response message,the server 500 may automatically generate response message candidates byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and provide the generatedresponse message candidates on the display screen of the first device100 together with general frequently used messages. As described above,the first device 100 may provide a response message list includingresponse message candidates and general frequently used messages, theresponse message candidates may include information regarding a currentsituation, a future situation, or both a current situation and a futuresituation of the first user USER1, and the general frequently usedmessages may be simple response messages. Next, when the first userUSER1 selects one response message in the response message list, theserver 500 may transmit a selected response message RM to the seconddevice 200.

FIG. 62 is a block diagram for describing configuration of a device 1000according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 62, configuration of the device 1000 according to anexemplary embodiment may be applied to the first and second devices 100and 200. The configuration of the device 1000 may be applied to varioustypes of devices, such as a mobile phone, a tablet PC, a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a MP3 player, a kiosk, an electronic pictureframe, a navigation device, a digital TV, or a wearable device, such asa wrist watch or a head-mounted display (HMD), etc.

Referring to FIG. 62, the device 1000 may include at least one of adisplay 110, a control unit 170 (e.g., controller), a memory 120, a(global positioning system) GPS chip 125, a communication unit 130(e.g., communicator), a video processor 135, an audio processor 140, auser input unit 145 (e.g. user interface), a microphone 150, an imagepickup 155, a speaker 160, and a motion detecting unit 165.

The display 110 may include a display panel 111 and a controller forcontrolling the display panel 111. The display panel 111 may be embodiedas various types of display panels, such as a liquid crystal display(LCD) panel, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel, anactive-matrix OLED (AM-OLED), and a plasma display panel (PDP). Thedisplay panel 111 may be flexible, transparent, or wearable. The display110 may be combined with a touch panel 147 of the user input unit 145(e.g. user interface) and provided as a touch screen. For example, atouch screen may include an integrated module in which the display panel111 and the touch panel 147 are combined with each other in a stackedstructure.

The memory 120 may include at least one of an internal memory and anexternal memory.

An internal memory may include at least one of a volatile memory (e.g.,a dynamic RAM (DRAM), a static RAM (SRAM), a synchronous dynamic RAM(SDRAM), etc.), a non-volatile memory (e.g., an one time programmableROM (OTPROM), a programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable and programmableROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable and programmable ROM (EEPROM), amask ROM, a flash ROM, etc.), a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid statedrive (SSD). According to an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 170may load a received instruction or received data from at least one of anon-volatile memory or other components to a volatile memory and processthe instruction or the data loaded on the volatile memory. Furthermore,the control unit 170 may store data received from or generated by othercomponents in a non-volatile memory.

An external memory may include at least one of a compact flash (CF), asecure digital (SD), a micro secure digital (Micro-SD), a mini securedigital (Mini-SD), an extreme digital (xD), and a memory stick.

The memory 120 may store various programs and data used for operationsof the device 1000.

In detail, the control unit 170 may control the display 110 to display aportion of content stored in the memory 120 on the display 110. In otherwords, the control unit 170 may display a portion of content stored inthe memory 120 on the display 110. Furthermore, when a user performs agesture with respect to a region of the display 110, the control unit170 may perform a control operation corresponding to the gesture of theuser.

The control unit 170 may include at least one of a RAM 171, a ROM 172, aCPU 173, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 174, and a bus 175. The RAM171, the ROM 172, the CPU 173, and the GPU 174 may be connected to oneanother via the bus 175.

The CPU 173 accesses the memory 120 and performs a booting operation byusing an OS stored in the memory 120. Next, the CPU 173 performs variousoperations by using various programs, contents, and data stored in thememory 120.

A command set for booting a system is stored in the ROM 172. Forexample, when a turn-on instruction is input and power is supplied, theCPU 173 may copy an OS stored in the memory 120 to the RAM 171 accordingto instructions stored in the ROM 172 and execute the OS, therebybooting the OS. If booting is complete, the CPU 173 copies variousprograms stored in the memory 120 to the RAM 171 and execute theprograms copied to the RAM 171, thereby performing various operations.When the device 1000 is booted, the GPU 174 displays a UI screen imageat a region of the display 110. In detail, the GPU 174 may generate ascreen image in which an electronic document including various elements,such as contents, icons, and menus, is displayed. The GPU 174 calculatesproperty values, such as coordinates, shapes, sizes, and colors ofrespective elements to be displayed, according to layouts of a screenimage. Next, the GPU 174 may generate screen images of various layoutsincluding the respective elements based on the calculated propertyvalues. Screen images generated by the GPU 174 are provided to thedisplay 110 and may be displayed at regions of the display 110.

The GPS chip 125 may receive GPS signals from GPS satellites andcalculate a current location of the device 1000. The control unit 170may calculate location of a user by using the GPS chip 125 in case ofusing a navigation application or in cases in which a current locationof the user is necessary.

The communication unit 130 may communicate with various types ofexternal devices by using various types of communication protocols. Indetail, the communication unit 130 may include at least one of a Wi-Fichip 131, a Bluetooth chip 132, a wireless communication chip 133, andan NFC chip 134. The control unit 170 may communicate with variousexternal devices via the communication unit 130.

The Wi-Fi chip 131 and the Bluetooth chip 132 may perform communicationvia the Wi-Fi protocol and the Bluetooth protocol, respectively. In thecase of using the Wi-Fi chip 131 or the Bluetooth chip 132,communication may be established by transmitting connection information,such as SSIDs and session keys, first, and then information may betransmitted and received. The wireless communication chip 133 refers toa chip that performs communications via various communication protocols,such as IEEE, Zigbee, 3^(rd) generation (3G), 3^(rd) generationpartnership project (3GPP), and long-term evolution (LTE). The NFC chip134 refers to a chip that operates according to the near fieldcommunication (NFC) standard that uses a 13.56 MHz band from amongvarious RF-ID frequency bands, such as 135 kHz, 13.56 MHz, 433 MHz,860˜960 MHz, and 2.45 GHz.

The video processor 135 may process video data included in contentreceived via the communication unit 130 or content stored in the memory120. The video processor 135 may perform various image processingoperations, such as decoding, scaling, noise filtering, frame ratetransformation, and resolution transformation, with respect to videodata, etc.

The audio processor 140 may process audio data included in contentreceived via the communication unit 130 or content stored in the memory120. The audio processor 140 may perform various processing operations,such as decoding, amplification, and noise filtering, with respect toaudio data.

When a multimedia content player program is executed, the control unit170 may execute the video processor 135 and the audio processor 140 andplay back corresponding content. The speaker 160 may output audio datagenerated by the audio processor 140.

The user interface 145 may receive various instructions from a user. Indetail, the user interface 145 may include at least one of a key 146, atouch panel 147, and a pen or stylus recognition panel 148.

The key 146 may include various types of keys, such as mechanicalbuttons and scroll wheels, formed at various regions of the body of thedevice 1000, including a front region, a side region, and a rear region.

The touch panel 147 may detect a touch input from a user and output atouch event value corresponding to a detected touch signal. If the touchpanel 147 is combined with the display panel 111 to embody a touchscreen, the touch screen may be embodied to include various types oftouch sensors, such as an electrostatic type, a resistive type, and apiezoelectric type. In the case of an electrostatic type touch screen,when a body part of a user touches a surface of the touch screen,coordinates of the touch are calculated by detecting fine electricityinduced by the body part of the user. In the case of a resistive touchscreen, when a user touches the touch screen, coordinates of the touchare calculated by detecting a current that flows as an upper plate and alower plate at the touched location contact each other. Touch eventsoccurring on a touch screen may be mainly generated by a person'sfingers. However, touch events occurring on a touch screen may also begenerated by an object formed of a conductive material that may inducechanges in electrostatic capacitance.

The pen recognition panel 148 may detect a proximity input or a touchinput based on a user's operation of a touch pen (e.g., a stylus pen) ora digitizer pen and output a detected pen proximity event or a pen touchevent. The pen recognition panel 148 may be embodied based onelectro-magnetic resonance (EMR), for example, and may detect a touch ora proximity input based on change of intensity of an electromagneticfield due to approach or contact of a pen. In detail, the penrecognition panel 148 may include an electromagnetic induction coilsensor having a grid-like structure and an electromagnetic signalprocessing unit, which sequentially provides alternate current (AC)signals having a designated frequency to respective loop coils of theelectromagnetic induction coil sensor. If a pen including a resonancecircuit exists nearby a loop coil of the pen recognition panel 148, amagnetic field emanating from the corresponding loop coil induces acurrent at the resonance circuit inside the pen based on mutualelectromagnetic induction. Based on the current, an induced magneticfield is formed from coils constituting the resonance circuit inside thepen, and the pen recognition panel 148 detects the induced magneticfield at the loop coil in a signal receiving mode, and thus a proximitylocation or a touch location regarding the pen may be detected. The penrecognition panel 148 may be arranged at any part of the display panel111 in an area sufficient to cover the display area of the display panel111.

The microphone 150 may receive voice of a user or other sounds andtransform the voice or the sounds into audio data. The control unit 170may use voice of a user input via the microphone 150 for a callingoperation or transform the voice into audio data and store the audiodata in the memory 120.

The image pickup 155 may pick up a still image or moving pictures underthe control of a user. The image pickup 155 (e.g., camera) may beembodied as a plurality of units, such as a front camera and a rearcamera.

If the image pickup 155 and the microphone unit 150 are provided, thecontrol unit 170 may perform control operations based on voice of a userinput via the microphone 150, or a motion of the user recognized by theimage pickup 155. For example, the device 1000 may operate in a motioncontrol mode or a voice control mode. If the device 1000 operates in themotion control mode, the control unit 170 may activate the image pickupunit 155, pick up images of a user, tracks changes of a motion of theuser, and perform a corresponding control operation. If the device 1000operates in the voice control mode, the control unit 170 may operate ina voice recognition mode, in which a user's voice input via themicrophone 150 is analyzed and control operations are performed based onthe analyzed voice of the user.

The motion detecting unit 165 may detect movement of the body unit ofthe device 1000. The device 1000 may be rotated or titled in variousdirections. Here, the motion detecting unit 165 may detect motioncharacteristics, such as a rotating direction, a rotating angle, and atilted angle, by using at least one of various sensors, such as ageomagnetic sensor, a gyro sensor, and an acceleration sensor.

Furthermore, according to exemplary embodiments, the device 1000 mayfurther include a USB port for connecting a USB connector, variousexternal input ports for connecting various external terminals, such asa headset, a mouse, and a LAN, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB)chip for receiving and processing DMB signals, and various sensors.

Names of the components of the device 1000 may vary. Furthermore, thedevice 1000 according to exemplary embodiments may include at least oneof the above-stated components, in which some of the components may beomitted or additional components may be further arranged.

FIG. 63 is a block diagram illustrating software configuration of thedevice 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 63, the memory 120 of FIG. 62 may store an OS forcontrolling resources of the device 1000 and application programs foroperations of applications. An OS may include a kernel, middleware, andan API. Examples of an OS may include Android, iOS, Windows, Symbian,Tizen, Bada OS, etc.

A kernel 121 may include at least one of a device driver 121-1 andsystem resource manager 121-2 for managing resources. The device driver121-1 may allow hardware of the device 1000 to be accessed andcontrolled software-wise. To this end, the device driver 121-1 may bedivided into an interface and independent driver modules provided byrespective hardware manufacturers. For example, the device driver 121-1may include at least one of a display driver, a camera driver, aBluetooth driver, a shared memory driver, a USB driver, a keypad driver,a Wi-Fi driver, an audio driver, and an inter-process communication(IPC) driver. The system resource manager 121-2 may include at least oneof a process managing unit, a memory managing unit, and a file systemmanaging unit. The system resource manager 121-2 may perform functionsincluding controlling, allocation, and retrieval of system resources.

Middleware 122 may include a plurality of modules that are prepared inadvance to provide functions that are commonly demanded by variousapplications. The middleware 122 may provide functions via an API 123,so that an application 124 may efficiently utilize resources in thedevice 1000. For example, the middleware 122 may include at least one ofa plurality of modules, such as an application manager 122-1, a windowmanager 122-2, a multimedia manager 122-3, a resource manager 122-4, apower manager 122-5, a database manager 122-6, a package manager 122-7,a connection manager 122-8, a notification manager 122-9, a locationmanager 122-10, a graphic manager 122-11, and a security manager 122-12.

The application manager 122-1 may manage a life cycle of at least one ofthe applications 124. The window manager 122-2 may manage GUI resourcesused in a screen image. The multimedia manager 122-3 may determineplayback formats of various media files and encode or decode media filesby using correct codec. The resource manager 122-4 may manage resourcesof at least one of the applications 124, the resources including sourcecodes, memory, or storage space. The power manager 122-5 may operate inconjunction with a BIOS, for example, manage a battery or power, andprovide power information regarding operations. The database manager122-6 may manage to generate, search, or modify databases to be used byat least one of the applications 124. The package manager 122-7 maymanage installation or update of applications distributed in the form ofpackage files. The connection manager 122-8 may manage wirelessconnections via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, for example. The notificationmanager 122-9 may display or notify about an event, such as an arrivalmessage, an appointment, or a proximity notification, to a user withoutinconveniencing the user. The location manager 122-10 may managelocation information regarding the device 1000. The graphic manager122-11 may mange graphic effects to be provided to a user and relateduser interfaces. The security manager 122-12 may provide all necessarysecurity functions for system security or user authentication. If thedevice 1000 includes a phone call function, the middleware 122 mayfurther include a call manager for managing voice call function or videocall function of a user.

The middleware 122 may include a runtime library 122-13 or other librarymodules. The runtime library 122-13 may be a library module used by acompiler to add new functions via a programming language while anapplication is being executed. For example, the =time library 122-13 mayperform input/output, memory management, or functions regardingmathematical functions. The middleware 122 may generate and use a newmiddleware module via various combinations of functions of theabove-stated internal component modules. To provide differentiatedfunctions, the middleware 122 may provide dedicated modules for eachtype of OS. The middleware 122 may dynamically delete some existingcomponents or may add new components. Some components in one or moreexemplary embodiments may be partially deleted, additional componentsmay be arranged, or components in the exemplary embodiments of theinventive concept may be replaced by components with similar functionsand different names.

The API 123 is a set of API programming functions, in which differentconfigurations thereof may be provided based on types of OS. Forexample, in case of Android or iOS, one API set may be provided perplatform. For another example, such as Tizen, two or more API sets maybe provided per platform.

The applications 124 may include preloaded applications installed bydefault and third-party applications that may be installed and used by auser. The applications 124 may include a home application 124-1 forreturning to a home screen, a dialer application 124-2 for making aphone call to another user, a text message application 124-2 forreceiving text messages from other users identified by phone numbers, aninstant message (IM) application 124-4, a browser application 124-5, acamera application 124-6, an alarm application 124-7, a phone bookapplication 124-8 for managing phone numbers or addresses of otherusers, a call log application 124-9 for managing a call log, a textmessage transmission/reception log, or a missed call log of a user, ane-mail application 124-10 for receiving messages from other usersidentified by e-mail addresses, a calendar application 124-11, a mediaplayer application 124-12, an album application 124-13, and a clockapplication 124-14. Names of the above-stated components of softwareaccording to exemplary embodiments may vary according to types of OS.Furthermore, software according to one or more exemplary embodiments mayinclude at least one of the above-stated components, omit some of theabove-stated components, or include additional components.

FIG. 64 is a block diagram for describing configuration of a device 2000according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 64, configuration of the device 2000 according to anexemplary embodiment may be applied to the first and second devices 100and 200. The device 2000 may include a communication unit 210 (e.g.,communicator), a user input unit 220 (e.g., user interface), a controlunit 230 (e.g., controller), a storage 240 (e.g., memory), and a display250.

The communication unit 210 may communication with at least one otherdevice and receive an incoming call including a phone call or a messagefrom the at least one other device. Furthermore, the communication unit210 may transmit a response message to the at least one other device.

The user interface 220 may receive a user input for selecting one of aplurality of options included in UI elements corresponding to anincoming call. Furthermore, the user interface 220 may receive a userinput regarding a plurality of selection requests.

The control unit 230 may control the overall operation of the device2000. According to an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 230 maydetermine at least one of a location, a route, or a situation of a userbased on information regarding an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the device 2000 and generate aresponse message including a current situation including at least one ofthe determined location, route, and activity. Furthermore, the controlunit 230 may estimate a point of time when a user will be available toreply to an incoming call based on information regarding an applicationthat is being currently executed or previously executed and may generatea response message including a future situation including the estimatedpoint of time when a user will be available to reply to an incomingcall.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit 230 maydetermine at least one of a location, a route, and an activity of a userbased on information regarding an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the third device 300 or fourth device400 and generate a response message including a current situationincluding at least one of the estimated location, route, and activity.Furthermore, the control unit 230 may estimate a point of time when auser will be available to reply to an incoming call based on informationregarding an application that is being currently executed or previouslyexecuted on the third device 300 fourth device 400 and may generate aresponse message including a future situation including the estimatedpoint of time when a user will be available to reply to an incomingcall.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call is received,the control unit 230 may automatically generate a response message byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and automatically transmit thegenerated response message to a calling user. Next, to notify a userthat the response message is transmitted, the control unit 230 maydisplay a notification that transmission of the response message iscompleted on the display 250.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived, the control unit 230 may display UI elements including aplurality of options corresponding to the incoming call on the display250 and, when transmission of a response message is selected from amongthe plurality of options, the control unit 230 may automaticallygenerate a response message by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed andautomatically transmit the generated response message to a calling user.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived, the control unit 230 may display UI elements including aplurality of options corresponding to the incoming call on the display250 and, when rejection/declination is selected from among the pluralityof options, the control unit 230 may select one of a plurality ofresponse message types based on at least one of contact informationstored in the device 2000 and a call history with respect to a callinguser corresponding to the incoming call and generate a response messagebased on information regarding an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed according to the selected message type.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit 230 maydisplay UI elements including a plurality of options corresponding tothe incoming call on the display 250 and, when transmission of aresponse message is selected from among the plurality of options, thecontrol unit 230 automatically generates response message candidates byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and display the generatedresponse message candidates on the display unit 250 together withgeneral frequently used messages. Accordingly, the control unit 230 mayprovide a response message list including response message candidatesand general frequently used messages. Next, when a user selects oneresponse message in the response message list, the control unit 230 maytransmit the selected response message to a calling user.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operations of the control unit230 may be performed by a phone application or a message applicationinstalled on the device 2000. In other words, a phone application or amessage application installed on the device 2000 may include the callrejection function described above. Applications installed on the device2000 may provide necessary information for generating a response messagevia an API, and a phone application or a message application maygenerate a response message based on information received from theapplications.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a phone application or a messageapplication may periodically monitor a status of other applicationsregardless of reception of an incoming call and obtain information forgenerating a response message from the other applications. According toanother exemplary embodiment, a phone application or a messageapplication may periodically monitor status of other applications whenan incoming call is received and obtain information for generating aresponse message from the other applications.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the operations of the control unit230 may be performed by a separate dedicated application (e.g., a callrejection application) installed on the device 2000. When a phone callor a message is received by the device 2000, a phone application or amessage application may activate a call rejection function of the callrejection application. Applications installed on the device 2000 mayprovide information for generating a response message via an API, andthe call rejection application may generate a response message based oninformation received from the other applications.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a call rejection application mayperiodically monitor a status of other applications regardless ofreception of an incoming call and obtain information for generating aresponse message from the other applications. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, a call rejection application may periodicallymonitor a status of other applications when an incoming call is receivedand obtain information for generating a response message from the otherapplications.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the operations of the controlunit 230 may be performed by middleware or an OS, that is, platform ofthe device 2000. Therefore, when a phone call or a message is receivedby the device 2000, a call rejection function of a particular model ofmiddleware may be activated. Applications installed on the device 2000may provide information for generating a response message via an API,and the particular module of middleware may generate a response messagebased on information received from the other applications.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a particular module of middlewaremay periodically monitor a status of other applications regardless ofreception of an incoming call and obtain information for generating aresponse message from the other applications. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, a particular module of middleware may periodicallymonitor a status of other applications when an incoming call is receivedand obtain information for generating a response message from the otherapplications.

The storage 240 may store time information input via an applicationinstalled on the device 2000. According to an exemplary embodiment, thestorage unit 240 may receive time information, which is input via anapplication, via an API, and store the received time information.Accordingly, even if no phone call or message is received by the device2000, the storage unit 240 may store time information when thecorresponding time information is input to an application, and thus acurrent situation of a user at a point of time when a phone call or amessage is received may be easily determined. Therefore, if a point oftime when a phone call or a message is received corresponds to storedtime information, the control unit 230 may provide a response message.

The display 250 may display UI elements including a plurality of optionscorresponding to an incoming call. Furthermore, the display 250 maydisplay texts, icons, and emoticons based on a plurality of selectionrequests.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the device 2000 may furtherinclude an audio output unit. The audio output unit may output UIelements including a plurality of options corresponding to an incomingcall. Furthermore, the audio output unit may output voices, that is,audio signals corresponding to a plurality of selection requests.

FIG. 65 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a wearabledevice 3000 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 65, the configuration of the wearable device 3000 maybe applied to the third device 300. The wearable device 3000 may includea communication unit 310 (e.g., communicator), a user input unit 320(e.g., user interface), a control unit 330 (e.g., controller), and adisplay unit 340 (e.g., display). The wearable device 3000 may furtherinclude a sensor unit, and the sensor unit may include at least onesensor for obtaining status information regarding the wearable device3000.

The communication unit 310 may communicate with an external device(e.g., the first and second devices 100 and 200). In detail, thecommunication unit 310 may exchange data, control signals, and statussignals with external devices. Furthermore, the communication unit 310may provide a plurality of communication methods, in which types ofcommunication methods provided by the communication unit 310 may varyaccording to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 66 is a block diagram illustrating an example configuration of thecommunication unit 310 included in the wearable device 3000 of FIG. 65.

Referring to FIG. 66, the communication unit 310 according to anexemplary embodiment may include at least one of a Bluetooth module 311,a Wi-Fi module 312, a NFC module 313, and a mobile communication module314. The Bluetooth module 311, the Wi-Fi module 312, the NFC module 313,and the mobile communication module 314 may be selectively arrangedaccording to exemplary embodiments.

The mobile communication module 314 may transmit a phone call and amessage via a mobile communication network and perform datacommunication via the mobile communication network. The mobilecommunication network may include networks using at least one of 2^(nd)generation mobile communication, such as code division multiple access(CDMA), global system for mobile communication (GSM), and personaldigital cellular (PCD), a 3^(rd) generation mobile communication, suchas international mobile telecommunication 2000 (IMT-device 2000),wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), and code divisionmultiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), and 4^(th) generation mobilecommunication, such as long term evolution (LTE) and long term evolutionadvanced (LTE-A).

Referring to FIG. 65, according to an exemplary embodiment, thecommunication unit 310 may communicate with the first device 100 towhich an incoming call is received and receive a notification ofreception of the incoming call from the first device 100. Furthermore,the communication unit 310 may communicate with the second device 200that transmits an incoming call and may transmit a response message tothe second device 200. However, exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto. According to another exemplary embodiment, the communicationunit 310 may transmit a response message to the first device 100, andthe first device 100 may forward the response message received from thethird device 300 to the second device 200. According to anotherexemplary embodiment, the third device 300 may transmit information forgenerating a response message to the first device 100. The first device100 may generate a response message based on the information receivedfrom the third device 300 and transmit the generated response message tothe second device 200.

The user input unit 320 may receive various instructions from a user andmay include a key, a touch panel, and a pen recognition panel. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the user input unit 320 may receive a userinput for selecting one of a plurality of options included in UIelements corresponding to an incoming call. Furthermore, the user inputunit 320 may receive a user input regarding a plurality of selectionrequests.

The control unit 330 may control the overall operation of the wearabledevice 3000. According to an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 330may determine at least one of a location, a route, or a situation of auser based on information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed on the wearable device 3000and generate a response message including a current situation includingat least one of the determined location, route, and activity.Furthermore, the control unit 330 may estimate a point of time when auser will be available to reply to an incoming call based on informationregarding an application that is being currently executed or previouslyexecuted and may generate a response message including a futuresituation including the estimated point of time when a user will beavailable to reply to an incoming call.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit 330 maydetermine at least one of a location, a route, and an activity of a userbased on information regarding an application that is being currentlyexecuted or previously executed on the first device 100 or the fourthdevice 400 and generate a response message including a current situationincluding at least one of the estimated location, route, and activity.Furthermore, the control unit 330 may estimate a point of time when auser will be available to reply to an incoming call based on informationregarding an application that is being currently executed or previouslyexecuted on the first device 100 or the fourth device 400 and maygenerate a response message including a future situation including theestimated point of time when a user will be available to reply to anincoming call.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call is received,the control unit 330 may automatically generate a response message byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and automatically transmit thegenerated response message to a calling user. Next, to notify a userthat the response message is transmitted, the control unit 330 maydisplay a notification that transmission of the response message iscompleted on the display unit 340.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived, the control unit 330 may display UI elements including aplurality of options corresponding to the incoming call on the displayunit 340 and, when transmission of a response message is selected fromamong the plurality of options, the control unit 330 may automaticallygenerate a response message by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed andautomatically transmit the generated response message to a calling user.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived, the control unit 330 may display UI elements including aplurality of options corresponding to the incoming call on the displayunit 340 and, when rejection/declination is selected from among theplurality of options, the control unit 330 may select one of a pluralityof response message types based on at least one of contact informationstored in the wearable device 3000 and a call history with respect to acalling user corresponding to the incoming call and generate a responsemessage based on information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed according to the selectedmessage type.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit 330 maydisplay UI elements including a plurality of options corresponding tothe incoming call on the display unit 340 and, when transmission of aresponse message is selected from among the plurality of options, thecontrol unit 330 automatically generates response message candidates byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and display the generatedresponse message candidates on the display unit 340 together withgeneral frequently used messages. Accordingly, the control unit 330 mayprovide a response message list including response message candidatesand general frequently used messages. Next, when a user selects oneresponse message in the response message list, the control unit 330 maytransmit the selected response message to a calling user.

The display unit 340 may display status information regarding thewearable device 3000, application execution screen image, indicationregarding one from among a plurality of applications and functions, etc.The display unit 340 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) deviceor an organic luminescent display device, for example. The display unit340 may be arranged at various locations and in various forms based onshape of the wearable device 3000. According to an exemplary embodiment,the display unit 340 may display UI elements including a plurality ofoptions corresponding to an incoming call. Furthermore, the display unit340 may display texts, icons, and emoticons based on a plurality ofselection requests.

FIG. 67 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the server500 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 67, the server 500 may include a control unit 510(e.g., controller), a memory 520, and a transmitting/receiving unit 530(e.g., transmitter/receiver). However, the server 500 may be embodiedwith more or less components than those shown in FIG. 67. Detaileddescriptions of the components will be given below.

The control unit 510 may control the overall operations of the server500. For example, a response message to be output by a device may begenerated by executing programs (or modules) stored in the memory 520.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the control unit 510 may determineat least one of a location, a route, or a situation of a user based oninformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed on a device and generate a response messageincluding a current situation including at least one of the determinedlocation, route, and activity. Furthermore, the control unit 510 mayestimate a point of time when a user will be available to reply to anincoming call based on information regarding an application that isbeing currently executed or previously executed and may generate aresponse message including a future situation including the estimatedpoint of time when a user will be available to reply to an incomingcall.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the control unit 510 mayselect one of a plurality of response message types based on at leastone of contact information stored in a device and a call history withrespect to a calling user corresponding to the incoming call, andgenerate a response message based on information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executedaccording to the selected message type.

According to an exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call is received,the control unit 510 may automatically generate a response message byreferring to information regarding an application that is beingcurrently executed or previously executed and automatically transmit thegenerated response message to a calling user.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived, the control unit 510 may display UI elements including aplurality of options corresponding to the incoming call on a device and,when transmission of a response message is selected from among theplurality of options, the control unit 510 may automatically generate aresponse message by referring to information regarding an applicationthat is being currently executed or previously executed andautomatically transmit the generated response message to a calling user.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived, the control unit 510 may display UI elements including aplurality of options corresponding to the incoming call on a device and,when rejection/declination is selected from among the plurality ofoptions, the control unit 510 may select one of a plurality of responsemessage types based on at least one of contact information stored in thedevice and a call history with respect to a calling user correspondingto the incoming call and generate a response message based oninformation regarding an application that is being currently executed orpreviously executed according to the selected message type.

According to another exemplary embodiment, when an incoming call isreceived, the control unit 510 may display UI elements including aplurality of options corresponding to the incoming call on a device and,when transmission of a response message is selected from among theplurality of options, the control unit 510 automatically generatesresponse message candidates by referring to information regarding anapplication that is being currently executed or previously executed anddisplays the generated response message candidates on the devicetogether with general frequently used messages. Accordingly, the controlunit 510 may provide a response message list including response messagecandidates and general frequently used messages. Next, when a userselects one response message in the response message list, the controlunit 510 may transmit the selected response message to a calling user.

The memory 520 may store programs for processing operations andcontrolling operations of the control unit 510 and may also storeinput/output data (e.g., details of user settings, a call history,etc.). Furthermore, programs stored in the memory 520 may be categorizedinto a plurality of modules based on functions thereof.

The transmitting/receiving unit 530 may include one or more componentsthat enable communication between the server 500 and a device. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the transmitting/receiving unit 530 mayreceive information notifying that transmission of a response message isselected at a device from among a plurality of options corresponding toan incoming call. According to another exemplary embodiment, thetransmitting/receiving unit 530 may receive information notifying thatrejection/declination is selected at a device from among a plurality ofoptions corresponding to an incoming call

Applications installed on the device 2000 of FIG. 64 or the wearabledevice 3000 of FIG. 65 may provide information for generating a responsemessage to the server 500 via an API, and the server 500 may generate aresponse message based on received information. According to anexemplary embodiment, the server 500 may periodically monitor a statusof applications regardless of reception of an incoming call and obtaininformation for generating a response message from the applications.According to another exemplary embodiment, the server 500 mayperiodically monitor a status of applications when an incoming call isreceived and obtain information for generating a response message fromthe applications.

One or more exemplary embodiments may be implemented as computerinstructions which can be executed by various computer means, andrecorded on a non-transitory computer-readable medium. Thecomputer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, datastructures or a combination thereof. Program instructions recorded onthe medium may be particularly designed and structured for the inventiveconcept or available to those skilled in computer software. Examples ofa computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media, such as ahard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape; optical media, such as acompact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc(DVD); magneto-optical media, such as floptical disks; a read-onlymemory (ROM); a random access memory (RAM); and a flash memory. Themedium may be a transmission medium, such as an optical or metal line, awaveguide, or carrier waves transferring program commands, datastructures, and the like. Program commands may include, for example, ahigh-level language code that can be executed by a computer using aninterpreter, as well as a machine language code made by a complier.

It should be understood that exemplary embodiments described hereinshould be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes oflimitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within exemplaryembodiments should typically be considered as available for othersimilar features or aspects in other exemplary embodiments.

While one or more exemplary embodiments have been described withreference to the figures, it will be understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art that various changes in form and details may be madetherein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a first communication unitconfigured to receive a call request from a calling user; a secondcommunication unit configured to communicate with an external device;and a control unit configured to, if the call request from the callinguser is received, control the second communication unit to transmitinformation regarding the call request to the external device, receiveapplication information of an application being currently executed inthe external device, from the external device, and control the firstcommunication unit to transmit a response message to the calling user,the response message including current situation information based onthe application information received from the external device.
 2. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the response message further comprises a timewhen a user will be available to respond to the call request, based ontime information obtained from the application currently being executedand a time when the call request is received.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the response message further includes current situationinformation based on application information about an applicationcurrently being executed on the device when the call request isreceived.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is furtherconfigured to control the first communication unit to transmit a messageto the calling user in response to the current situation informationchanging.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the control unit is furtherconfigured to control the first communication unit to transmit theresponse message to the calling user via at least one communicationmedium from among a plurality of communication media.
 6. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the application being currently executed in theexternal device is a navigation application, or the external device is anavigation device.
 7. The device of claim 6, the current situationinformation indicates that a user is driving now.
 8. The device of claim6, the response message further includes information regarding a currentlocation, a point of departure, a destination, a route of a user, anestimated time of arrival at the destination, or a point of time whenthe user will be available to respond to the call request.
 9. A devicecomprising: a first communication unit configured to receive a callrequest from a calling user; a second communication unit configured tocommunicate with an external device; a memory configured to store timeinformation received via an application installed in the externaldevice; and a control unit configured to, if the call request from thecalling user is received at a time corresponding to the stored timeinformation, control the first communication unit to transmit a responsemessage to the calling user, the response message including currentsituation information based on application information about theapplication.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the response messagefurther comprises a time when a user will be available to respond to thecall request, based on the stored time information and the time when thecall request is received.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein theapplication information comprises at least one of schedule informationand ticket reservation details, which are input via the application, andthe stored time information.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein thecontrol unit is further configured to control the first communicationunit to transmit a message in response to the current situationinformation changing.
 13. A method of providing a response message, themethod comprising: receiving a call request from a calling user;transmitting information regarding the call request to an externaldevice; receiving application information of an application beingcurrently executed in the external device, from the external device; andtransmitting a response message to the calling user, the responsemessage including current situation information based on the applicationinformation received from the external device.
 14. The method of claim13, wherein the receiving the application information further comprisesreceiving property information and time information about theapplication, and the transmitting the response message further comprisesincluding the current situation information based on the propertyinformation and a time when a user will be available to respond to thecall request based on the time information and a time when the callrequest is received.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the responsemessage further includes current situation information based onapplication information about an application currently being executed ona device at a time when the call request is received.
 16. The method ofclaim 13, further comprising transmitting a message to the calling userin response to the current situation information changing.
 17. Themethod of claim 13, wherein the application being currently executed inthe external device is a navigation application, or the external deviceis a navigation device.
 18. The method of claim 17, the currentsituation information indicates that a user is driving now.
 19. Themethod of claim 17, the response message further includes informationregarding a current location, a point of departure, a destination, aroute of a user, an estimated time of arrival at the destination, or apoint of time when the user will be available to respond to the callrequest.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium havingrecorded thereon program instructions executable by a processor forperforming the method of claim 13.